3^®s«© 




c 



THE 







PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION : 



UNFOLDING THE LAWS OP 



THE PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF NATURE* 



AND EMBRACING THE PHILOSOPHY O: 



~> 




M, Sprit, anit % Sprit fflgrjl 



BY THOMAS PAINE, 

THKOUGH THE HAXV OF HOKACB G. WOOD, MEDIUM. 




BOSTON: 

BELA MARSH, No. 25 CORNH1LL 

1854. 







CONTENTS- 
CHAPTER i. 

VAGE* 

ON, - - - - - - - 7 

CHAPTER II. 

TY, - - - - 12 

r CHAPTER III. 

?AOE AND MATTER, 19 

CHAPTER IV. 

r THB PRIMITIVE CONDITION OF THE EARTH, ---- 34 

CHAPTER V. 

MAN, 63 

CHAPTER VI. 

SPIRIT, 84 

CHAPTER VII. 

SPIRIT LAND, 89 



THE 



PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION : 



UNFOLDING THE LAWS OF 



THE PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF NATURE. 



AND EMBRACING THE PHILOSOPHY OF 



MAN, SPIRIT, AND THE SPIRIT WORLD, 



BY THOMAS PAINE, 

THROUGH THE HAND OF HORACE G. W0DD, MEDIUM. 



• •• * 
• . . .. 

. • • • • 



BOSTON': 



• • »•• • • 



•• • • 






• * . 

• •• •. 

• • ••• ••• 



BEL A MARSH, No. 25 CORNHILL 

1854. 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1854, 

BY BELA MARSH, 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District 

of Massachusetts. 



- 



• • • 
• • • I • 

" _ • -• 



• • •■ 

• • 

• « 



PEEF ACE. 



A work of singular merit is here presented to the Public. It is but 
the beginning of what was designed to be a stupendous production, a 
comprehensive view of the whole range of the natural sciences, to be 
embraced only in the limit of some thirty volumes of three hundred 
pages each ! and, in the language of the author, to present a standard 
by which men might judge of the powers of Spirits to instruct us in the 
grandest truths of science and philosophy. 

A concourse of circumstances not to be avoided or controlled — among 
which the failing health of the "medium" was the most important, 
prevented the continuation of the work, and, as the spirit authors were\ 
acquainted with no other medium who would be for them equally me- 
chanical^ their purpose was defeated from want of proper means for im- 
parting their revelations. A few remarks may be indulged to explain 
the origin of the work, and the purpose of that portion which is here 
offered. 

The writer was engaged in lecturing upon the philosophy of the 
" Spirit manifestations," and accompanied by the medium, Mr. H. Gr. 
Wood, of Vermont, who was accustomed to hold daily " sittings" for 
public investigation, when the present work was proposed to be com- 
menced by a company of spirits, purporting to be Thomas Paine, James 
Marsh, former President and Professor in the University of Vermont, 
Ethan Allen, of revolutionary memory, andBenj. Day, and to hewi'it- 
ten by one spirit, and by Thomas Paine — the materials being contribut- 
ed by all. These spirits were indefatigable in their efforts to overcome 
all pecuniary and other obstacles that intervened to prevent the facili- 



IV PREFACE. 



tating of tlieir purpose, and gave all directions toward the conduct of s 
matters pertaining to their production. Several witnesses were present 
during the writing, who took a lively interest in the work, and rendered 
essential aid in assisting to carry out the directions of the spirits. 

It may be here remarked, that, for some six months previous to the 
commencement of the writing, the spirit of Mr. Paine was almost daily 
present, managing all our circles with the greatest judgment, and giv- 
ing multitudes of evidences which unmistakably identified him as the 
veritable spirit who purported to communicate. 

I do not deem it necessary to enter into any details to prove the 
spiritual origin of this little treatise, though abundance of proof could 
be adcUiced ; but I will content myself with simply stating that it was 
so produced, as the internal evidences will warrant, and that the writer 
purported to be Thomas Paine. That the writer was Thomas Paine, 
th^re are two convincing arguments to be offered : the one, that the 
chirography is a fac simile of Mr. P's ; the other, that the style of 
/composition is peculiarly his own — and that is acknowledged to be al- 
most inimitable. The admirers of Mr. P. as an independent thinker 
and uncompromising writer, will be gratified to learn that Mr. P's resi- 
dence in the spirit land has not at all either impaired his intellectual 
vigor, or changed his disposition to make war on all error, from what- 
ever source it may come. 

What is here presented was written with astonishing rapidity, often 
at the rate of a printed page per minute, and much of £he time while 
the medium was engaged in conversation. Scarce any alteration from 
the original was necessary, and such changes as have been supplied are 
merely of a verbal character, and tautological — some errors of which 
latter kind still remain, which occurred from the very rapid writing, and 
were not regarded in the hasty copying. However, the main substance 
will bear as close inspection, for literary merit, as any of Mr. P's pro- 
ductions while in the flesh. 

The chapters on Man, Spirit, and' the Spirit Land, contain just such 



) PREFACE. V 

instructions as the present times need ; and the latter two will be found 
to solve a multitude of problems, frequently propounded, which the in- 
fancy of Spiritual science occasions, and which the great ignorance of 
what has already been accomplished in the attainment of spiritual 
knowledge, renders so mysterious. 

Another chapter was commenced, which was to complete volume first, 
on the History of the Human Race, which promised, from what portion 
was written, to be of extraordinary interest. But it is deeply to be 
regretted that this part was not completed, for the reason before 
named. 

The present matter is published at the urgent solicitation of many 
distinguished Spiritualists, before whom it has been read in MS., who 
pronounce it one of the best literary efforts which has yet emanated 
from the spiritual sphere, and as embracing within a small compass as 
valuable a compend of material and spiritual philosophy as has been 
given us from this source. Hoping that it will subserve a useful pur- 
pose in the enlightenment and conviction of many in spiritual knowl- 
edge, and the reality of Spiritual Intercourse, and thus speed the\ 
glorious revolution which is now being accomplished to bring Heaven 
and Earth nearer together, this work is offered with great pleasure, 
and with a desire that there were much more of it, by 

H. A. BURBANK. 






THE 



PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 



CHAPTER I. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The world has for a long time labored under the 
most gross and monstrous errors, from the general in- 
defmiteness of opinion and knowledge in reference to the 
creation of the Earth and the planetary system general- 
ly ; and as yet, notwithstanding many different opinions 
have been advanced, and those too by men of science 
and extensive research, has the darkness, in which that 
point has been shrouded, been at all relieved or re- 
moved; but even now, the human mind, running back 
into the labyrinths of the past in search of information 
in relation to that matter, returns bewildered, and often- 
times infidel. Some have come to doubt their very ex- 
istence, from the vagueness and mystery in which this 
point is involved. 

It is common for mankind to regard every thing as 
having a beginning and an end. Every human produc- 
tion does have, and hence the impossibility of the mind's 



8 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

conceiving of aught that does not have. Men measure 
every thing by their own experience, and find it diffi- 
cult to travel thereout for any explanations or elucida- 
tions of any mystery. It is exceedingly hard, too, for 
one to imagine of that point in time when nothing ex- 
isted ; and it is equally difficult, and in fact much more 
difficult, to conceive how something could be created out 
of nothing ; and yet it is claimed by a large class of 
men, that God, in the plenitude of his power, called 
forth the infinitude of worlds, that at this day are 
sweeping through space, from nothing. Alike created 
space, matter, worlds and laws, where nothing, and when 
nothing existed. Men who entertain those notions, as 
many do, and honestly too, exhibit remarkably small 
and contracted reasoning powers. 

It may not be amiss, in this place, to explode the 
'scriptural account of creation, and hence destroy the 
basis of the fore-mentioned opinion. It is claimed that 
in six days God created the heavens and the earth, and 
upon the seventh rested ; and let me say, without any 
irreverence for Deity, that if he did create the Earth in 
six days, he needed to rest upon the seventh. But the 
question is, did he create the Earth in six clays \ I 
answer, no. Data, independent of any I shall bring 
forth to substantiate this proposition, gathered by men 
of science in the flesh — data, too, that no man sees fit 
to deny — plainly show that matter originally existed in 
a liquid state, and that it remained in this state for 
millions of years. And, too, that the planet Earth for 
millions of years existed, before it was prepared for 
the reception of animal or vegetable life. Not because 
it did not contain within itself the elements necessary 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 9 

to v produce and support it, but because those elements 
had not been reduced to the proper condition necessary 
to generate and support life. Each different state or 
condition of matter has possessed its different powers to 
generate and sustain life, and hence, in various ages and 
periods of Earth's existence, different species of animal 
and vegetable life have existed. Fossil remains of ani- 
mals and vegetables, at this day found in various por- 
tions of your Globe, in the different formations, show 
plainly, that no less than seven times has the whole 
course and kind of life, both animal and vegetable, been 
changed ; and, too, that these changes have been mil- 
lions of years in being effected. Now the fact is here, 
either Science or the Bible is false. Which will you 
accredit? Science is based upon well-known data. 
The Bible is entirely, wholly, in this instance, based 
upon imagination. It is the mere creation of a wild 
and sickly fancy. 

One strong evidence that may be brought against the 
scriptural account of creation is the fact, that all 
through that Book not one word is said of any other 
world than this. But from it you are left to, and legit- 
imately may draw the inference, that the Earth is the 
only planet existing, and that the various other worlds, 
there called stars, &c, are merely balls of fire hung in 
the Heavens as lamps to light and warm the Earth, in- 
capable of generating or supporting life. In a word, 
that this Planet is the favored of God, and the grand 
theatre of his wisdom and skill. I say that this infer- 
ence may be drawn legitimately, because it is there ex- 
pressly stated, that God created the Earth, then he 



10 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

9 

created Day and Night, the Sun to rule the day, and 
the Moon and Stars to rule the night. 

Astronomers tell you, that the sun, moon and stars 
are worlds, composed of elements like those of earth, ; — 
some of equal, others of greater magnitude than earth ; 
and moreover, that, while the earth is lighted, &c., by 
those planets, they likewise are lighted by earth. 
The earth is but one of an indefinite number of worlds, 
forming a vast planetary system. 

From the innate properties of matter any sensible 
man would infer, that these various worlds must be the 
theatres of life, of animal and vegetable life, adapted to 
their various situations, conditions, &c. ; and indeed it 
would be a disparagement of the wisdom of God, to sup- 
pose that all these worlds were created by him without 
object or aim ; for I can confidently assure you that 
■many, very many of them are so remotely located from 
the earth, that it is neither favored nor benefited by 
their light. Were they created without an aim, with- 
out an object? I answer, no. God never created 
aught unless to subserve an end. 

But I do not wish you to understand by this, that 
every thing is immediately created or brought into ex- 
istence by God ; but that all of animal as well as vege- 
table life comes into existence by the force of natural 
laws, of certain principles in, and properties of matter, 
that necessarily generate the peculiar species of life that 
exist. That different conditions of matter, the different 
states of situation, &c, have a strong and peculiar in- 
fluence upon the species of animal and vegetable life 
extant, is evident to your senses, from the fact, that even 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 11 

upon your own earth, in different parts, there are differ- 
ent, widely different species of life, peculiar to the cli- 
mate, soil, &c., and which removed from their peculiar 
localities would die. 

I might here proceed to state various facts to show 
that matter has within itself elements, which, peculiarly 
united or brought together, necessarily produce life — 
animal life. For instance, in stagnant pools there is 
generated a peculiar animal of a spiral form, called the 
JRotifier Redivivus, which in its element exhibits a re- 
markably lively existence. Take this animal from its 
element, lay it upon a shelf and allow it to dry, and to 
all appearances die, and in fact to be actually dead. 
Let it lie there for years, and then replace it in its ele- 
ment, and its life will return; it will not indeed be ani- 
mated by the same spirit, the same life, as it originally 
was; but, being brought again in contact with its 
natural elements, it receives another spirit or life, and 
hence moves, lives. 

Another simple illustration of the properties of mat- 
ter to generate life is here. Take wheat flour, and 
with the same unite resin : boil them together in water, 
and let the preparation stand for a few days, subject to 
the action of heat and cold, and there will appear upon 
the surface a peculiar kind of animal, that will live only 
so long as it is subjected to the action of heat and cold. 
I might cite hundreds of instances, but I will wait un- 
til I am further advanced in the work before me, when 
I intend to give a general explanation of life of all 
kinds, and under all conditions. But I have already 
cited enough to establish the fact, that all matter is 
possessed of a spiritual principle, or of life-creating 



12 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

principles which, when under different circumstances 
and conditions united, give birth to various kinds of 
life. 

Animals and vegetables alike are endowed with 
spirit ; — without spirit nothing can live. Remove from 
matter its spiritual principle, and it will at once decay, 
and be taken up by other living matter and be reani- 
mated ; — hence the conclusion, that wherever there is 
matter there will be life, or the necessary elements to 
produce and sustain life ; hence, too, the inference in 
your minds, that the various planets are the theatres of 
animal and vegetable life, as I have before said ; and 
hence, likewise, the absurdity of the Biblical account of 
creation. There is no need of entering into a more 
elaborate argument upon this point, as the common 
sense of mankind is already beginning to lead 
them to search after more substantial and satisfactory 
food. 



CHAPTER II. 



DEITY. 

As I approach this important branch of my subject, 
I would desire the readers to lay aside their various 
prejudices, and for a while o indulge with me in a little 
reasoning upon the matter. 

Mankind have ever had peculiar and strange ideas of 
God. Each man has had his own God — a God of his 
own creation and imagination. Each one has created 
in his mind a God peculiar to himself, and in accord- 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 13 

ance with his mental condition. There a¥e, and al- 
ways have been, as many different Gods, as there are or 
have been different human beings. Could I expose to 
your mental vision the different Gods as they have ex- 
isted in idea, I should expose to your gaze a picture 
such as your eyes never before beheld ; but it is not my 
task or duty so to do. I will simply proceed to an in- 
quiry in relation to him. 

In the first place, then, let us inquire who and what 
is God ] The general idea has- been, and in fact still 
is. that God is a person; but I will here assert that this 
is fallacious, and the absurdity of this idea is evident, 
from the fact that it is said that God is omnipresent, by 
the same individuals who assert that he is a person ; 
for if he is a person, existing in form, he would not by 
any possibility be omnipresent. God is not a person, 
but a principle, the all-animating principle of all 
things. 

Deity is generally regarded as the author of all mat- 
ter, but instead of that, he is a principle of matter. It 
is said in Holy writ, as it is called, that no man has 
ever seen God, nor ever will. This is well said, and 
for the support of that book was necessarily said. God 
is eternal, ever has and ever will exist ; but he is no 
more eternal than matter, for both are eternal, as they 
are co-existent. There is nor was no grand architect 
of the universe or universes, aside from him ; for he is 
the great first cause, or grand centre of all intelligence, 
permeating all matter, and the living intelligent prin- 
ciple therein. The grandest and most perfect existence. 
The perfect and only perfect existence. The grand 
centre of all perfection, and of all spiritual attributes. 

2 



14 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

To give mankind a correct idea of God would be be- 
yond the power of language : his attributes exist, but 
words cannot sufficiently strongly set them forth. His 
works are all around you, and in his works you can see 
him and his power. If by works you are to judge the 
author, what cannot be said of God 1 Mankind are 
measured and reverenced in proportion to the intellec- 
tual power and skill exhibited in their various produc- 
tions ; and yet man is but a small iota of God. If you pay 
homage to human intellect, which is but an iota of the 
grand intelligence, what homage is due, or rather what 
homage is not due to the grand intelligence 1 

I wish to be understood, however, that God is 
naught but. a principle, and that too of necessity. He 
can exist, does exist, but cannot, by any possibility, 
cease to exist. He is an innate quality of, and principle 
in matter, that will exist long after matter has been re- 
duced to a spiritual state — for the tendency of all mat- 
ter is to perfection or spiritualization — approximation 
to Deity. 

As I have before said, I can give you no adequate 
description of Deity, as there is no language in which 
and with which I can paint to you his attributes. But 
that there is a God, a Deatific principle, there needs no 
words nor assertions of mine to prove. No one, who 
for a moment surveys the wide domains of nature, be- 
holds the myriads of worlds sweeping in space above, 
about and around him, with the utmost regularity and 
precision ; who beholds, both in the animal, vegetable 
and planetary systems, the perfect adaptation of all 
things, each to the other ; who contemplates the perfect 
laws by which all things are governed and controlled ; 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 15 

can for a moment doubt, that there is existing some- 
where in the realms of space, an intelligence, that has 
assisted and guided in the production, construction and 
control of the infinitude of created things. Let him, 
who has for a moment doubted the* existence of God, 
contemplate himself, ask himself whence he came \ 
how he was created \ whence his superior intelligence \ 
and he will return from his reflections firm and un- 
wavering in his faith in the existence of a central intel- 
ligence. 

Whence came intelligence, if it has not ever existed % 
Can matter create intelligence 1 Impossible. It con- 
tains within itself a grand principle of intelligence, that 
is co-existent with it, but it cannot, and does not create 
it. There are certain properties in matter, which, when 
peculiarly united, generate life, which life in its various 
stages exhibits intelligence ; — can it be said that this 
life and intelligence were created by matter 1 Most 
certa'inly not. This life and intelligence were produced 
by a union of properties, in matter, that ever existed. 
Matter ever has and ever will contain within itself these 
properties — Life and Intelligence in embryo. Now 
whence comes intelligence, unless it wells up from a 
grand fountain seated in the realms of matter, pervad- 
ing every part of the universe and universes in exist- 
ence % When one can answer that question different- 
ly, then may he well doubt the existence of God ; until 
then he must admit his existence. 

Now the question comes up for our contemplation, 
what influence did Deity have in the formation of 
worlds, &c. ] But of this portion of my subject I will 
treat more extensively by-and-bye, when I approach 



16 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

another branch of the treatise. I will now simply pro- 
ceed to speak of the origin of a belief in God, and also 
of the various ideas which are rife in reference to God, 
and of the cause of the extreme difference of opinion 
concerning him. 

There is in man a principle of intelligence, that 
naturally leads him to regard all existing things as hav- 
ing an author ; — hence, among all people, and in all 
times, and under all conditions of intellect, this belief 
has existed, and in various degrees of perfection. The 
attributes of God have varied as the condition of human 
life has varied. The aborigines of this country had 
their forests peopled with the Great Spirit, who presid- 
ed over their destinies, guarded their wigwams, their 
hunting-grounds and their souls; who held them in 
charge in their conflicts with enemies. When the 
thunders bellowed and the lightnings flashed, they sup- 
posed the Great Spirit angry, and hence, in those times, 
they attempted to conciliate his favor by various man- 
ners that they believed to be pleasing to him. When 
any misfortune came upon them, they regarded it as an 
evidence of the displeasure of the Great Spirit. When 
they were successful in the chase or in war, they re- 
garded it as an evidence of his pleasure. The Indian's 
God was a God possessed of attributes compatible with 
the Indian's mind. He was regarded to be a kind 
father, so long as his children were obedient and good, 
but as fierce and inhuman, when they were disobedient 
and bad. He was a revengeful God. He was given 
this attribute by them simply because they themselves 
were naturally revengeful, and hence they supposed of 
necessity that God must be so. The Indians, like every 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 17 

) 

other people, created for themselves a God possessed of 
the highest attributes of which their minds could con- 
ceive, and clothed him with virtues, such as they them- 
selves practiced, or supposed they ought to practice. 
Brutality in war, revenge, &c., being regarded as vir- 
tues by the Indian, he naturally created in idea a God 
possessed of these attributes. So every tribe and nation 
of the Earth has its God, and that God may invariably 
be measured by the intellectual growth and culture of 
the people. 

The truth is, every man's mind naturally turns to 
some superior being to whom he desires to pay homage, 
some being to whom he can allege the cause of every 
thing ; some creative and controlling power higher than 
himself: and that being will ever be just in accordance 
with the intellectual state of the person. He will be 
a being possessed of powers and qualities refined or 
gross, just as the intellect of the man is refined or gross. 
The savage has his God, and oftentimes desires some- 
thing tangible, something that he can see, feel, &c. ; 
hence many, even at the present day, being possessed of 
a low intellectual- state, fall down and worship Gods of 
wood and stone ; others worship the sun and moon ; 
others, various animals, as the elephant, &c; — and in- 
deed a people may ever be judged, mentally and moral- 
ly, by their ideas of God and religion. 

The God of the Christian, or of Theologians of the 
present day, should be a being possessed of great pow- 
ers and noble attributes ; but I am sorry to say that at 
this day, civilized people, who have had the advantages 
of the arts and sciences, entertain most ridiculous and 
absurd notions of him ; clothe him with attributes en- 
2* 



18 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

tirely antagonistical and inhuman. They make him a 
God of Love and unacquainted with Evil, and yet a 
God revengeful and barbarous ; a being possessed of 
all wisdom, and yet one of the most silly and imprudent 
beings in existence ; and at the same time, this God 
corresponds with the training,, the mental and moral 
condition of those who entertain these notions. 

But I need not proceed further to prove to you that 
God is a creature of idea, and a* being of whom no one 
has a very exalted or satisfactory knowledge ; for the 
idea, that there is a being, who created and presides 
over the grand economy of Nature, is fast disappearing 
from among you ; and soon will the world be willing 
to listen to the voice of Reason, and believe that God is 
not a being, but a principle, as I have before said. 
Then will the heathenish ideas, that at this time are 
entertained, vanish, and the clear sun-light of Reason 
stream full upon the mind, enlightening and liberaliz- 
ing it with the genial influence of Truth. The great 
errors of the day — popular errors — will be dispersed, 
and mankind approximate to that grand Harmonial 
state that is so compatible with nature, and so neces- 
sary for the heavenizing of the universe. Then will 
mind, freed from the fetters by which it has been for 
ages bound, soar away into the domains of nature, to 
gather up the innumerable gems that are there hidden 
in the depths of matter, brilliant and' elevating in their 
tendency, to deck and adorn its existence. Then will 
fade away and entirely disappear that class of men, at 
this day called spiritual teachers, whose labors are, and 
ever have been, directed toward the promulgation of 
absurd errors and false religion, and mankind be taught 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 19 

by the principle within called Reason, and the principle 
without called Nature. 



CHAPTEE III. . 



SPACE AND MATTER. 



Space is but a condition of matter ; and hence, mat- 
ter being eternal, it must be an eternal condition. 
Matter could not exist without space, hence it is a 
necessary condition of matter ; but matter is not a neces- 
sary condition of space, for without matter space could 
exist. Space is infinite to the human conception ; it 
has no bounds, no end, but rolls away even beyond the 
conception of spiritual beings. It is the theatre of 
worlds, whose number is infinite, and entirely beyond 
human power to compute or comprehend. The theatre 
of worlds, or life, is not bounded by human vision, 
either aided or unaided by the powers of art. No 
optical instruments will ever enable the human eye to 
range its immensity, to see or comprehend one octil- 
lion th part of the number of worlds that are there mak- 
ing their revolutions with precision and regularity. 

A great mistake is usually, and ever has been here ; 
people have ever supposed, and in fact still do suppose, 
that the Earth is the only inhabited planet, and was the 
first world made capable of being inhabited ; but this 
is not true, for there are worlds that were created long 
before the Earth, and which became the seat of human 



20 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

life, long before the Earth had even borne the most 
gross kind of mineral or vegetable life ; and where the 
arts and sciences had attained quite an eminence, before 
the Earth even had a separate existence. I shall be 
able to demonstrate this fact to you before I close. 

This idea in reference to the Earth, was originated, 
and existed from a blind faith in the Scriptures. If 
that Book is true, there can be no other inhabited 
planet ; as man is [there taught that Earth is God's 
favorite land, and the only spot where he has made an 
exhibition of his power, either in the formation of 
worlds, or intelligent beings ; — in a word, that all the 
other worlds in existence were created merely to serve 
the Earth by their light, heat, &c. But the fallacy of 
this idea has already been exploded by astronomers, — 
yet mankind, notwithstanding the many contradictions 
of Biblical accounts by science, seem disposed to hug 
their Idol to their hearts, to be yielded up only when 
necessity compels. Reason and Truth are alike re- 
jected, and the most absurd and ridiculous errors are 
recorded with their creeds. But I am traveling from 
my subject. 

I have before stated, and will now re-state, that matter 
is eternal, — ever has, and ever will exist; and hence it 
follows, as a necessary consequence, that all the quali- 
ties, properties and developments of matter, are equally 
eternal, existing in, and a necessary attendant of mat- 
ter — though in an embryo or latent state — to progress 
and attain perfect development, only as matter was 
impelled to progression by its interior forces ; for as 
matter progresses, the laws that govern it obtain force, 
added force and conspicuity. 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 21 

Pervading all matter, even to its minutest tissue, was 
the great intelligence, whose power is and was un- 
limited to the human conception, aiding and assisting 
in urging on the grand work of progression, develop- 
ment and formation. The power, exerted by this intel- 
ligence in this grand work, language cannot describe, 
nor human power in the remotest degree comprehend ; 
but yet to him all things were obedient, and his man- 
dates were law. Acting by regular laws, progression 
followed, and the grand ultimates in due time appeared, 
in perfect or imperfect states of existence, as they were 
developed in earlier or later periods of progressive 
existence. There were in matter embryo systems and 
worlds in infinitude, together with the power of form- 
ing, governing and locating them. 

Perhaps one of the most important powers of matter 
was the power to throw off or rid itself of all refuse 
matter, or that matter which was not useful in the 
grand economy of production ; which power ever ex- 
isted in matter, but was not developed until a late 
period of its existence, or that period of its existenee 
when it had become prepared to be formed into systems 
and worlds, when it came forth from the latency in 
which it had slumbered, and exhibited its full vigor 
and usefulness. This power of matter exists now, and 
will account for the appearance of those erratic bodies 
that are now and then seen wandering in the im- 
mensity of space, apparently without location or laws, 
in the grand system of the universe, called comets. 
They are fragments of worlds, rejected as drones, and 
sent off to provide for, and locate themselves ; — possess- 
ing within themselves the elements and powers to pro- 



22 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

duce worlds, and take a stand as such in the category 
of the universe, — and ultimately they do. The Earth 
itself was once a wanderer like them, possessed of un- 
developed elements, tossed about upon the bosom of 
immensity, to find a home and location for itself. These 
bodies frequently approach so near £0, as to be taken 
up hy the Sun, and thus go as fuel for the supply of 
light and heat to the various world's dependent upon 
it therefor. 

Matter and power are coexistent ; and as motion is a 
direct effect, and consequence of power, and must have 
followed simultaneously in its path, it follows that Mat- 
ter, Power, and Motion, are coexistent. 

The primitive or original condition of all matter was 
liquidity. This is demonstrated from the oblate spheroi- 
dal form of your Earth, which could only have been 
the result of the motion of the Earth in a liquid con- 
dition, when, from the greater rapidity of motion in its 
centre than at the poles of its axis, this form would 
naturally and necessarily follow. > 

• Could the human eye behold matter in its primitive 
condition, it would behold swelling far away into the 
immensity of space, apparently without bounds, and 
without laws or order, a vast unparticled mass of liquid 
fire ; a vast receptacle and theatre of contending ele- 
ments and latent worlds, — unawakened laws and unde- 
veloped forces,— apparently without particles, without 
forms, because it was one grand unparticled mass of 
combined Suns, Systems and Laws, in an embryo or 
latent state; — but could your vision penetrate this mass, 
you would behold, permeating all its parts, a positive 



THE PHILOSOPHY OP CREATION. 23 

power, whose grand object and duty was to arouse 
latent energies of elements to progressive action. 

The original condition of matter being liquidity, heat 
and light must have been the primitive developments ; 
and as an important agent in formation, and as a direct 
effect of heat, Magnetism followed in the train of 
developments. 

Matter having originally formed one unparticled 
mass, of course it was not subjected to the action of 
external^ but only internal forces ; hence it floated on 
the bosom of immensity unmolested, save only by the 
forces that were internally acting to prepare it for the 
grand development of Systems and Worlds. It must 
be borne in mind, that though matter was origin- 
ally one unparticled mass, it nevertheless contained 
within itself embryo particles to infinity, which waited 
simply for the action of necessary forces for their de- 
velopment. This grand mass contained no regular 
form, as it, by the force of its interior elements, was 
continually undulating in space, and hence changing 
its form as those undulations were increased in rapidity. 

The first, or original form, assumed by matter in the 
course of formation, was the angular or crystaline, 
which was the result of angular or crystaline motion, 
together with forces of which I shall soon speak more 
extensively. Magnetism followed in the train of de- 
velopments, as a necessary development of heat, and 
hence Electricity obtained an existence, — hence was 
established in matter, in development, a positive and 
negative power, Magnetism being positive, and Elec- 
tricity negative. Magnetism is a principle, because the 
result of the development of a principle, that is, heat ; 



2i THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

but electricity is but a condition or negative state, 
induced by an absence of heat, or by cold. 

These agents, permeating matter, infused into it an 
electrical power or state, that was exceedingly import- 
ant in the grand work of parti culation and formation, 
immediately destroying the extreme*intimacy, fraternal 
intimacy, before observed, throughout the infinitude of 
matter, and making enemies and friends in a twinkling, 
which occasioned each of a kind to seek the other, and 
to array themselves as 'twere for a grand conflict. 

From the development and action of these agents, 
the work of development went rapidly on, until that 
point was attained, when, by the action of internal 
forces, a large portion of this immense mass went whirl- 
ing away into the immensity of space ; and then com- 
menced a mighty change in the condition of matter. A 
mighty disturbance was there; — the great chain of 
union was broken ; slumbering powers were awakened 
from their dormancy, and came into vigorous and active 
employment; new laws gained force, the great mass 
commenced to reel, and one system after another broke 
away, in endless succession, from its parent mass, and, 
taking with itself a grand eentre or sun, rolled far away 
into the bosom of immensity, to assume and occupy an 
independent and separate existence. System after sys- 
tem, world after world was thus evolved and sent off, 
until the illimitable expanse of space was apparently 
filled. Rolling away in its infinitude, erratic and irreg- 
ular, they at last, by the power of gravitation, were 
located, and then commenced the grand work of inter- 
nal development. 

The number of systems and worlds evolved, the 



THE PHILOSOPHY OP CREATION. 25 

human mind could not comprehend, — their number is 
infinitude. But systems being formed, laws established, 
and worlds located, in each world evolved, particular 
tion and general development commenced. The internal 
together with the external forces, acting upon each, 
'occasioned revolutions upon and around a common 
centre, that was essential to a full development of the 
powers of matter. 

These revolutions were occasioned by the magnetic 
powers exerted, each upon and by the other, that gave 
rise to what are commonly called centrifugal and centrip- 
etal forces, or the tendency of matter to fly from and 
towards a common centre. The magnetic forces, exerted 
by the surrounding bodies upon each other, gave rise 
to the centrifugal, and the magnetic power of the parti- 
cles, one over the other, or their affinity for each other, 
occasioned by their electrical conditions, together with 
the influence of motion, guve rise to the centripetal ; 
and thus matter has the power within itself to keep up 
or maintain an equilibrium, even among contending 
forces. 

Being established in space from the influences ex- 
erted upon each other, together with the power of 
internal forces, each world began first to move upon its 
axis in a circular form, and then about its common 
centre the Sun ; and each system performed, and per- 
forms its revolutions around other systems ; hence there 
is a continuation of circular motion observed by worlds 
and systems to infinity, .occasioning Day and Night, 
seasons, &c., in each, proportioned to the length of time 
occupied in its revolution upon its own centre, and 

around the grand systemal centre. 
3 



26 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

This revolution upon axes occasioned, as a matter of 
course and necessity, the spheroidal or globular form 
exhibited in each World, and also the globular particu- 
lation of matter. All matter, from the first second of 
systemal existence, was, from its magnetic condition, 
endowed with a disposition to fly from and cling to its* 
common centre, which, as a necessary consequence, 
produced globular particulation ; hence, while each 
world is itself a grand globe, its minutest particles are 
equally globes. 

The original condition of matter could not have 
given rise to this globular form of particles, as there 
was then no external force operating upon it ; hence 
there was no tendency to nor from a centre, but a per- 
fect equilibrium in all parts. The grand mass rolled 
upon no axis, as there was then no force to give it 
circular motion, — circular motion was then undevel- 
oped ; — but when, by the force of internal powers, one 
part of the mass flew away, there was set up and 
exerted an external influence, that would put into 
requisition the powers of motion; and hence, for a 
succession of ages, one system after another was being 
formed during each successive second, and thrown 
away upon the sea of space to travel to its proper 
location, until throughout the whole endless expanse 
there was set up an equilibrium. 

The time occupied, in the establishment of this 
equilibrium, cannot be conceived by the human mind. 
For, could you travel with the rapidity of light, you 
would never be able to approach the remotest worlds 
seated in space. Hence an endless period- was neces- 



THE PHILOSOPHY- OP CREATION. 27 

safy for the performance of the journeys performed by 
these innumerable systems to their allotted destination. 

The time occupied in the making up and throwing 
off of these systems from the grand mass is equally 
incomprehensible ; and it were a needless task for me 
in the remotest degree to attempt to impress it upon 
you. The human mind is incapable of conceiving the 
immensity of space, and of the immensity of , that grand 
central mass, from which all systems and worlds 
sprung. The mind cannot conceive infinity, — space is 
infinite, without bounds or limits. 

The original masses thrown off were without regu- 
larity of form, and not until a perfect equilibrium was 
established, did any assume, or nearly approximate to 
the spheroidal form ; but systems taking location, the 
established forces acted upon the members of the sys 
tern, and revolutions commenced. The extremely rari- 
fied condition of matter, at that period, prevented rapid 
motion, as the full force of the magnetic power could 
not be experienced in that condition ; but as the bodies 
revolved and rarification decreased, the motion increased 
in rapidity, until perfect regularity of motion was 
established. 

Matter possesses within itself the power to throw off 
all refuse matter, or that which is not needed in the 
grand economy of production ; hence new systems and 
worlds are, and were continually being evolved, but at 
such remote distances from established systems, as hard- 
ly to exert an influence thereupon. 

Matter has within itself, also, all the elements neces- 
sary for the generation and support of both animal and 
vegetable life — which power is progressive ; and hence, 



28 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

in different periods of its condition, different kinds of 
life would be produced. In its extremely gross state, 
equally gross vegetables and animals would be pro- 
duced ; but as it refined, life of all kinds would keep 
pace with its progression. 

From the preceding proposition's it follows, that all 
systems and all worlds have inherent within them- 
selves the power to generate and support vegetable and 
animal life ; hence each has the power to produce all 
the elements, as air, water, &c., so necessary in the 
grand economy of life. 

These afore-mentioned elements were produced, or 
generated, before life could have commenced ; hence, as 
they could not be generated until the mass had thrown 
off its heat, and assumed comparative coolness in its 
particles, it follows, that life was not, nor could be gen- 
erated, until the earth had become encrusted upon its 
surface, or cool. 

In the productions of all existing things, air, water, 
life, &c, magnetism and electricity were the efficacious 
and indispensable agents. These agents, traversing the 
realms of matter, by virtue of inherent laws, impregnat- 
ed each embryo particle with an electrical condition, 
that made it subject to the laws of attraction and repul- 
sion, which by no possibility could they suspend or dis- 
obey. Magnetism being positive, and electricity nega- 
tive, attraction and repulsion followed as a natural 
result ; — hence particulation began, and the various 
gasses, fluids, &c, obtained existence. 

In the primitive condition of matter, heat possessed 
no disposition to travel, for there being no external, but- 
only internal forces acting, the grand attraction was to 



THE PHILOSOPHY OP CREATION. 29 

the mass, — there was no power to impel its rays, and 
no necessity for their impulsion. But when systems 
were established, and the laws thereof shook off their 
latency, heat was impregnated with a disposition to fly 
off, in straight lines, into the grand receptacle of im- 
mensity, and hence cooliny commenced in matter. 

From this point matter commenced rapid progress. 
For millions of years the fed rays went streaming away 
into the grand vortex of immensity, until the earth be- 
gan to lose its heated state externally , and form itself 
into proper conditions. The atmosphere was developed, 
vegetable life was generated, and minerals went to their 
proper beds. But yet the grand centre was not cooled, 
nor by any possibility could it be ; for the extreme con- 
densation of particles, attendant upon the establishment 
of gravitation or weight, naturally produces and. main- 
tains heat: hence, at this day, and to all eternity, the 
centre of your Globe will be one mass of liquid fire. It is 
an essential condition in the.economy of production, and 
seems to have been an arrangement of the positive power. 

The fact of the liquidity of the centre of the earth — 
if not sufficiently evident from the natural results of 
condensation — will appear from the frequent eruptions 
of volcanos, which are occasioned and fed by a disturb- 
ance among the internal fiery elements. These fires 
must have vent ; and in earlier periods of the world, 
when the crust of the earth was less hard, more fre- 
quent eruptions happened, and at more near distances. 
Volcanos are essential outlets of these fires, for were 
they not allowed to escape in that manner, earthquakes 
and dire calamities would come quick and fast upon 
you. 

3* 



30 THE PHILOSOPHY OP CREATION. 

Though, in the production of earthquakes, electricity 
is usually a powerful agent — magnetism being a develop- 
ment of heat, and electricity being a negative condition, 
or the result of the absence of heat — it follows, of 
course, that electricity was an efficacious agent in the 
cooling of the earth. 

In the course of particulation, electricity occasioned 
the development of elements. Endowing all matter 
with. an electrical condition, positive or negative, the 
various developments of matter followed. Each sub- 
stance of like properties, or of a kind, sought its kin- 
dred, in the general confusion of elements, and hence 
combination and formation was continually going on ; 
— hence, many of the phenomena, exhibited in rocks, of 
veins of quartz, gold, silver, iron, and various other sub- 
stances, foreign to the general body of the rock, may be 
accounted for. The existence of these will serve as a 
conclusive evidence to your minds, that the great mass 
of matter must, primitively, have been in a state of 
fusion, as in no other possible way could these deposi- 
tions in veins have been made. Rocks are frequently 
found by you, in which veins of iron, gold, &c., exist, 
that run for many miles in the rock, and frequently its 
entire length. 

Minerals are usually found in substances to which 
they seem peculiar, as gold and silver are found in 
quartz, &c, which plainly shows that minerals were not 
primitive, but ultimate developments of matter — of 
peculiar matter, which, by the property of matter to 
throw off all refuse matter, or that not used in the 
economy of production, occasioned these particular de- 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 31 

positions of minerals ; and yet they were the first de- 
velopments of motion, because the first substances that 
assumed form — they assuming the crystaline, or ^primi- 
tive form. Minerals I shall treat extensively of, in 
another part of this work-— more particularly in future 
volumes. 

The extension of rocks of particular species, as 
marble, &c, in particular directions, — oftentimes in 
continuous chains for hundreds of miles, demonstrates 
the proposition, embodying the fact, that particles 
sought their kindred ; and the frequent recurrence of 
veins and traps, in these rocks, of different species, 
demonstrates the chaos and confusion in which the ele- 
ments originally were. 

Could the human eye behold the earth after its es- 
tablishment in the solar system, it would behold a vast 
body of liquid fire, whirling through space, in wild and 
chaotic confusion. Could it 'penetrate the mass, it would 
behold a disturbance of elements, such as the mind can- 
not conceive, or language express. But there was a 
running to and fro of elements, and the action of forces, 
which, in future periods, were to bring forth from this 
awful confusion perfect symmetry and form, progres- 
sion and development. There were powers in that 
mighty chaos that would not yield ; positive influences, 
whose mandates must be obeyed, and which were des- 
tined to tame the confusion, and bring forth perfect 
order. 

The tendency of matter is progression. Its ultimate 
is Spirit ; — hence, in the train of mineral developments, 
and developed by the innate properties of matter, came 



32 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

the vegetable developments. In vegetables is exhibited 
the circular motion, which was developed by the 
crystaline. 

The tendency of matter being progression, and the 
original condition being gross, it follows, as a necessary 
consequence, that the original condition of the vegetable 
kingdom must have been exceedingly imperfect and 
coarse ; and this truth will appear more evident, from 
the fact, that the vegetable kingdom was partially 
developed before the elements had been brought into 
harmony and order, as is manifest to you from the fact 
that remains of vegetables, now extinct, are found, em- 
bedded even in the body of solid rocks, that could only 
have been formed by an igneous agent, as also far down 
in the bosom of the earth, evidently and really placed 
there by water ; and the different species of vegetables, 
found in the formations, plainly show, that there has 
been an entire change in the vegetable kingdom for 
many times, — which is an evidence of the progressive 
power of matter. 

The first species of vegetables developed were of a 
coarse, large order, entirely, widely different, from the 
state of vegetables at later periods, and in different for- 
mations, and from their condition now. The materials 

i 

that entered into the composition of these vegetables — 
which were principally of a marine order, with few land 
plants, — were also different. Development, then, had 
not attained to perfection, but was anerely on the 
threshold of progression, of a progression to which it 
was to be subjected through, and during countless cen- 
turies. As the mineral developed the vegetable, so the 
vegetable developed the animal kingdom. 



THE PHILOSOPHY OP CREATION. 33 

That there was a wide difference in the elements and 
condition of the vegetable kingdom, will appear evident 
to your minds, from the fact, that, during the earlier 
periods of matter, the materials of the earth were less 
dense than subsequently, and consequently, that the 
elements therein had a less perfect power ; as, also, 
from the fact, that the atmosphere, light, heat and 
water have a strong influence upon plants, and give 
rise to perfect, or less perfect developments therein, as 
they act upon them in a perfect or less perfect man- 
ner. 

The atmosphere, in the earlier periods of the. earth's 
existence, had not been reduced to its present chief ele- 
ments, but was also filled with other elements that now 
are unknown therein. It was then less rare — more 
dense than now. Water, also, was then in a more 
dense state, being composed of less hydrogen and more 
nitrogen, as also fluorine, which is the result of a union 
of hydrogen and nitrogen, and also carbon. This pro- 
position can hardly be denied by men of science and 
research. It certainly will not be denied by those who 
acknowledge the progressive tendency of matter. There 
cannot be found a substance, which does not possess 
these elements, in a greater or less proportion. 

The relative position of the Earth, in reference to the 
Sun, in its primitive condition, being widely different 
from now, made a great change in the degree of light, 
as also of heat received from that body ; — from all 
which facts it will appear, that the vegetable world has 
undergone wide changes. 

The animal being developed by the vegetable, and 
dependent thereupon for existence and support, must 



34 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

have partaken of the nature of the vegetable, and hence, 
in its primitive stages, have been equally gross and im- 
perfect, which is demonstrated by fossil remains found 
in various portions of the Globe. 

The first kinds of animal life developed, worthy of 
notice, were of the polyparia, fish, and saurian species, 
which, passing through regular stages of gradation and 
perfection, ultimately gave rise .to, or developed species 
of a higher, or more perfect order, as the vegetable 
world was perfected or progressed. 

Having now traced the Earth, in a cursory manner, 
up to the development of the three kingdoms, it be- 
hooves us to go back and examine, in a more minute or 
particular manner, its condition and appearance, during 
its primitive and subsequent periods, in order that you 
may be able to comprehend propositions, in relation to 
the three kingdoms of Nature, that it will be my pro- 
vince, in a more progressed part of the book, to advance 
and support. 



CHAP TEH IV. 

THE PRIMITIVE CONDITION OF THE EARTH. 

We have traced the progress of Creation generally, 
up to the establishment of the Systems, and the Earth 
cursorily, up to the development of the three kingdoms ; 
we will now return, and more minutely trace the pro- 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 35 

gress of development, together with the causes produc- 
ing the various conditions, primitively and latterly 
holclen by matter. We have seen that, though matter 
originally existed in a chaotic, or confused state, it 
nevertheless had within itself the elements of all miner- 
al, vegetable, and animal developments, and their neces- 
sary attendants, appurtenances, &c. 

The Earth was^ originally comprehended in, and 
formed a part of the Sun, and hence was, for a long 
period of time, subjected to the action of the external 
forces acting upon matter, after the general confusion 
of formation had begun in a degree to subside. It was 
thrown off from that body by the force of external and 
internal agencies operating upon that body. It may be 
proper and essential, that we should now stop to in- 
quire what these internal agencies or forces were, or 
what it is and was that gave to matter the power to 
throw off, or rid itself of refuse matter. 

We have before seen that Magnetism and Electricity 
were among the primitive and essential developments 
of matter. We have also seen that Magnetism is a 
positive, and Electricity a negative agent ; and that, as 
a necessary result of these, bodies were endowed with 
attractive and repulsive powers ; hence, if, in the grand 
work of combination, any particles became negative to 
the mass, they would be repelled and sent off into the 
atmosphere, because of the attractive and repulsive 
powers exerted upon them by the various other forces 
in space, independent of the Sun ; hence, there were 
continually being sent off from the Sun refuse particles, 
or particles negative to the mass, in concentric circles, 
which, in due time, were condensed, and formed into 



36 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

the planet termed Earth. The time, taken for the ag- 
glomeration of these particles into this formation, the 
human mind could not conceive, for comparatively, it 
was an infinitude of time. The distance from the sun, 
of this mass, (which was liquid, and attended by heat 
so intense that you could not conceive its intensity,) 
gradually became greater as its particles increased in 
number — as by the attractive influence upon the par- 
ticles of the sun, it was continually doing — and as its 
density increased. 

The earth has holden many different relations to the 
sun, in different periods of its existence, proportioned 
to its density and attractive influence for the sun. This 
is evident from the fact, that the earth must have been 
— as it was — originally in a highly rarified sta«te, and 
consequently would have retained a nearer distance to 
the sun under that condition, than when in a more 
dense state ; because there would of necessity be a 
stronger influence exerted upon these particles by the 
sun, from the affinity between them, than by surround- 
ing bodies. But when density increased, the attractive 
influence of the sun, and of other bodies, would be re- 
duced to an equilibrium — which gradually occurred — 
and hence the earth would be located by the equilibrium 
of these forces. 

The earth being established by these forces, the pro- 
cess of cooling, and of general development, commenced. 
Heat being impregnated with a disposition to fly from 
all heated bodies, in straight lines, by forces before men- 
tioned, the process of cooling went rapidly on, though 
it would be needless for me to attempt to give you an 
idea of the length of time occupied therein — for, to your 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 37 

minds, it would be infinite. It followed, as a necessary 
consequence, that the external portion of the earth 
would cool with the greatest rapidity, and hence encrus- 
tation would ensue ; and the external, or crust of the 
earth, being thus made dense, of course the internal 
would not be quenched, but pent up in a prison house, 
molten and liquid, there were left undeveloped, beauty, 
life and power, that were destined to form no part of 
developed existence. 

Thin crusts were formed over some portions of this 
immense mass of molten lava, while other parts refused 
to yield to the cooling influence for ages ; but, when 
encrustation ensued over the whole earth, or a general 
coating was formed, these internal elements would 
break forth from their imprisonment, and pour out their 
melted masses upon the more quiet portions, so that for 
a long time encrustation was suspended or checked. 
Yet the laws, that were operating to prepare the mass, 
would not yield, but, after successive attempts, and in- 
calculable periods, succeeded so far as to create so dense 
encrustation, as to prevent these internal forces from 
destroying their labor. The elements within, raging, 
maniac-like, would throe and heave their mighty masses, 
as if to escape from their pent-up place; and hence 
mountains were thrown up here and there — valleys, as 
a necessary consequence, were formed, and the fair face 
of the universe was made distorted and uneven. The 
* portions in which the crust was most thin were the 
scenes of the most mighty catastrophes ; hence, as the 
earth cooled in different parts soonest, those in which 
cooling went on most rapidly were left most even. 
The atmosphere having been developed, these valleys 



38 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

became the theatres of mighty volumes of water, with 
the mountains for their banks, which they lashed with 
awful fury, so that, upon their going down, these huge 
piles presented ragged and awful aspects. 

While cooling was taking place, and the earth being 
prepared for the grand work of development, the ele- 
ments were not idle, but impregnated by electricity 
with a positive or negative state, the grand work of de- 
velopment and progression was going on. There was 
a grand war among the elements — a floating about of 
particles in search of kindred, that is incomprehensible : 
the whole mass was alive with agitation and motion. 
The first to assume form and shape were miner- 
als. Particles would come together and unite them- 
selves in eternal embraces, deposit themselves in their 
proper localities, and meet the contending forces as best 
they could. 

The first formations were of granite rock, composed 
of mica, quartz, feldspar and hornblende, (the last three 
most prominent,) in a coarse, rough state, as granite 
now is. It must be remembered, that this formation 
could not have happened, until there had become a con- 
siderable coating upon the surface of the earth, when 
the internal heat, seeking vent, induced molecular sub- 
stances to arise to the surface of the molten mass, where 
they aggregated, and formed this kind of rock, or the 
primary formation. This formation is an index of the 
elements, for there was then formed an atmosphere with' 
a density corresponding to this formation, and as an 
ultimate of this a watery fluid, which we will term 
water. The atmosphere was then composed of different 
elements from now, as also was the water. Each for- 



THE PHILOSOPHY OE CREATION. 39 

I 

mation had elements corresponding to its density and 
refinement. The atmosphere, at that time, was com- 
posed of a small portion of nitrogen, about one-fifth 
carbon and sulphuric acid, hydrogen and fluorine, 
oxygen. Water was composed of nitrogen, hydrogen, 
fluorine, oxygen and carbonic acid. 

An almost endless period elapsed before the granite 
formation was completed, and other formations com- 
menced. Frequent eruptions happened — mountains 
were thrown up, rocks ejected, valleys formed, and seas 
established. The valleys were made beds of seas — filled 
with the watery fluid of which I have before spoken — 
that went raging through them, with the mountain 
eminences for their banks, — which were much higher 
then than now, as thpse seas were oftentimes hundreds 
of miles in depth. Being dense, they lashed the moun- 
tain sides, ejected and wore away rocks, and carried the 
particles to their beds, all which, (assisted by the inter- 
nal fires that were continually acting upon them,) gave 
rise to the first stratified rock, gneiss and micaceous 
slate. 

It may not "be amiss for me here to state, that the 
spot upon which you are now sitting* was once the bed 
of a mighty sea, of many miles depth, with the Green 
mountains for its Eastern, and the Adirondacks for its 
Western bank; and hence the frequent occurrence of 
the slate formation in its original bed. 

That the atmosphere and water were formerly much 
more dense than now, cannot be denied, as there can be 
found no one so blind, as not to see that all fluids must 



* Rutland Co., Vt. 



40 THE PHILOSOPHY OP CREATION. 

have been more gross, in their primitive states, than in 
their more progressed, or more fully developed stages, 
owing to the gross condition of matter, and the unde- 
veloped and unsettled state of all substances. If physi- 
cal proofs are necessary, the extremely superior power 
of water to wear away rocks, in its primitive states, 
than now, — as is evinced by the formation of the rocks 
to which I have referred — is a sufficient proof. 

The theory here advanced has been before the world, 
and was advanced by A. J. Davis, of whose philosophy 
allow me now to speak in commendable terms. In the 
main, the theories advanced by him are truthful and 
correct, and he placed before the world truths that 
were needed, and that, in more progressed periods of 
existence, will be duly appreciated. 

The granite formation was the result of angular mo- 
tion. It extends for many miles in depth, and as that 
formation is an index of developed elements, as air, 
water, &c, so the succeeding gneiss and slate forma- 
tions indicate, that these elements had refined, and at- 
tained a more perfect development; and had become so 
much perfected, that when, by the action of internal 
and external forces, the lower strata of the primary 
rocks were succeeded by the clay-slate and Grauwacke 
formations, animal and vegetable life were developed : 
from which fact, it is evident to your minds, that the 
state of these elements may be determined, during the 
processes, by the different formations. This formation 
is usually termed the transition from the primitive to 
the fossiliferous, as in it are found the remains of plants 
and animals in great variety, the crinoides, conchi ferae, 
Crustacea, polypi and polyparia. Had not these ele- 



/ 

THE PHILOSOPHY OP CREATION. 41 

ments undergone a great change, (as they are admitted 
to have done by men of science,) neither animal nor 
vegetable life could have been sustained or generated. 

It must not be supposed that these formations were 
the result of short periods of time ; for, were I to at- 
tempt to impress upon you the length of time during 
which the Granite formation was being completed, and 
preparing for the second formation, you could not com- 
prehend it. It was an infinitude of time ; and this was 
equally the case with the transition and succeeding for- 
mations. 

The elements being in an imperfect condition, it fol- 
lows, as a necessary consequence, that vegetable and 
animal life were in an equally imperfect condition. The 
plants generated were nowerless and seedless, — hence 
had not the power of reproduction, which was equally 
the case with the animals. 

Nature works by regular laws, and progression can 
only be attained by degrees, as perfection stamps no 
natural production in the outset, but is only arrived at 
by steady and gradual progression. As the mighty oak 
was once contained in the acorn, and obliged to pass 
through regular periods of germination and contention, 
before it attained its stately form and hardy powers, so 
all else in the universe came up by regular stages of 
gradation, from the first to the last, attaining new pow- 
ers and perfection during each successive period, until 
comparative perfection stamps the whole natural king- 
doms. Within the bosom of the Earth were contained 
embryo existences to infinity; yet those existences 
could not be brought forth in an hour, but must wait 
the slow progress of development. The elements must 

4* 



42 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CKEATION. 

be reduced to their proper conditions — the earth pre* 
pared for their reception. 

It must be remembered, that an indefinite period 
elapsed between the slate and the succeeding carbon- 
iferous formation ; and that, in the mean time, vege- 
tables and animals had been developed to quite an ex- 
tent. The elements had changed, and progression 
stamped all things. Eut before we notice, particularly, 
the carboniferous, or coal formation, it may be neces- 
sary for us to examine the condition of the earth, and 
also the developments, with some minuteness. 

We have perceived that granite is composed of mica, 
hornblende, feldspar and quartz, and that the succeed- 
ing strata, or formations, were composed of disintegrat- 
ed portions of rock, &c, gathered by the waters from 
the mountain sides. We have found that the micaceous- 
slate formation, by disintegration of its upper strata, 
was succeeded by the clay-slate, or fossiliferous forma- 
tion, when we find lime generated in considerable quan- 
tities, the presence of which is evidenced by the appear- 
ance of shell-fish, whose shells were composed of lime. 

We have also found that the air, as well as water, 
was impregnated with carbon in considerable quantities; 
and, at the period of which we now speak, the vegetable, 
as well as animal kingdoms, were, to quite an extent, 
developed. In various portions of the globe, trees had 
appeared, and various vegetables had gained a marked 
existence. At this period, too, the tides were raging 
with much fury, and changes were being rapidly made 
in the face of the universe. The waters had collected 
large quantities of shells and vegetables, which were 
conveyed to their beds, to unite with sedimentary par- 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 43 

tides of mica, carbon, lime, &c., and hence there com- 
menced the carboniferous, or coal-era and formation. 
These vegetables, being acted upon by the water, from 
which they were continually receiving carbonized de- 
posits, and also by the lime, which, in that period, was 
developed, were continually becoming carbonized, or 
formed into coal. That there were, at that period, 
trees of large dimensions, is evidenced from the remains 
of trees, at this day found in these formations, in a state 
of carbonization. 

At the commencement of the carboniferous era, the 
watery element had become so increased, that the form- 
er equilibrium was destroyed, and hence the internal 
fires must have vent, — during which period there was 
an upheaving of the chain of mountains in South 
America called the Andes, and the chain called the 
Appenines, in Spain. Various disturbances were oc- 
casioned thereby, of which I shall speak hereafter. 

The tides at this time extended over a large portion 
of the Earth ; hence the existence of fossils in crevices 
of mountains may be accounted for, as the deposits of 
this era. 

The water was then, as well as the atmosphere, 
heavily impregnated with carbon, oxygen having been 
but partially developed. Of course no conflagration 
could ensue, which would have ensued, had the air 
been possessed of its present quantity of that element. 
Of course animal life must become extinct in this era, 
as there was so much carbonic-acid gas in the air as to 
destroy it. 

The action of the elements occasioned a union of 
lime and carbon, which, by coming together, became 



44: THE PHILOSOPHY OP CREATION. 

fused, and were deposited upon the slate formation in 
the form of carboniferous lime. By this union of car- 
bon and lime, the elements were made less dense, and 
hence dry land became visible in many portions of the 
Earth. Upon the mountain eminences, thus left bare, 
vegetation sprang up with surprising avidity, and be- 
came exceedingly thrifty. Trees of immense size were 
formed, and so powerful became the growth, and so 
extensive, that the elements of the soil, necessary to 
support their life, were exhausted ; and hence, in the 
process of ages, they decayed, became decomposed, and, 
by the avidity with which they took up carbon from 
the elements, were in the lapse of time formed into 
coal, and became one stratum of the carboniferous 
formation. Perhaps it is necessary that I should say, 
that the tides washed these particles to their various 
beds. 

This stratum was formed from the extreme avidity 
with which these bodies took up nitrogen and carbon 
from the air, together with metallic elements. This 
stratum was ages in being formed, and having been 
formed from the great reduction of the density of the 
elements, .by the exhaustion of carbon, and conse- 
quently the generation of those elements that occasion 
and support vegetable life, another growth of trees was 
formed, which came up with even greater avidity than 
those which preceded them; and hence, in the course 
of tinie, reduced these elements again to such a point, 
as to occasion the decay of these trees, and from them 
form another stratum. By this time the extra amount 
of carbon in the air, and other elements, was exhausted ; 
and hence was established a period in creation, where 



THE PHILOSOPHY OP CREATION. 45 

vegetable and animal life could flourish. These strata 
of coal were frequently interspersed with strata of iron- 
stone, sandstone, and limestone. 

This was a point, in the existence of the Universe, 
when the developments of elements were favored. A 
bright day dawned. The air became lively and exhil- 
erating, from the oxygen with which it was impreg- 
nated in larger quantities than at any previous period. 
Water Jbecame more rare, and hence the great seas 
began to go down; vegetable and animal life were 
developed, and the grand work of perfection began 
under favorable auspices. 

We have hastily passed over and examined the geol- 
ogical structure and condition of the Earth, up to the 
expiration of the Carboniferous era, and it now be- 
hooves us to return, and in a more minute manner 
examine the various phenomena of stratification and 
formation. 

We have found that the Primary formation is of 
Granite rock, w T hich is composed of aggregated parti- 
cles, brought and holden together by chemical action, 
or by the power of heat and affinity. Granite is usually 
uniform in its combinations, being composed of mica, 
feldspar and quartz, with occasional garnets, horn- 
blende and shorl. Being of the aggregate species, or 
species formed by the power of chemical action, it would 
naturally be more uniform in its elements than the 
cemented rocks, or those of the agglomerate species, 
which are of necessity multifarious in their combina- 
tions. 

The granite formation plainly evinces that the 
original development of motion, was the angular, as 



46 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

crystalization is most perfect in this, and less perfect in 
the succeeding formations, until it entirely disappears. 

The granite formation originally extended, and now 
does extend around the globe.. By the action of inter- 
nal and external forces, it has been left uncovered and 
bare at the summits of your highest mountains, and 
oftentimes in your valleys. This rock forms the base 
of the mountains of Switzerland, as also of the Alps 
generally. There are various strata of intervening 
rocks of different elements upon this formation, the 
first of which is gneiss, which forms the larger portion 
of the Carpathian mountains. The level of gneiss is 
lower than that of granite, mica-slate lower than that 
of gneiss, and the clay-slate, lowest of all. There are 
intermediate strata of porphyry, sienite, serpentine, and 
strown throughout the mass, as 'twere by some careless 
hand, are topaz, quartz, serpentine, porphyry, trap, 
gypsum, flint-slate and limestone. 

We may notice here, that from the granite to the 
transition or Grauwacke system, there were no traces 
of any carboniferous substances, or of life of any kind ; 
hence the inevitable conclusion, that for the whole space 
of time occupied in the development of the granite and 
gneiss formation, carbon was not developed, at least 
to any great extent; and hence animal or vegetable 
life did not, nor could exist in those periods. 

We have before seen that, during the process of mak- 
ing up the granite formation, an atmosphere was de- 
veloped, mountains formed, and seas established. We 
have also found that water was then an exceedingly 
dense body, and possessed of much greater power to 
wear away solid substances than now; — rhence upon 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 47 

the granite formation was established the secondary 
formation, or stratified rock. The seas lashing the 
sides of their banks, wore away the rocks, which we 
have found to be composed of mica, feldspar, and horn- 
blende, and conveyed them to their beds, where, being 
subjected to the action of the water, as also the heat of 
the internal fires that were continually seeking vent, 
they were formed into gneiss and micaceous slate; 
which, in their turns, became the beds of porphyry, 
quartz, feldspar, serpentine, topaz, trap, gypsum, flint- 
slate, sienite and limestone, interspersed with layers of 
slate ; — hence here you find, in the second formation, 
the first stratified rocks, which were distributed in 
layers one above the other, in regular succession, gneiss 
being lowest, micaceous slate next, and sienite last. It 
must be remembered, that these different strata were 
many ages in being formed; hence each successive 
stratum would be of a different order, because this for- 
mation, being the result of chemical action, of course the 
particles in sediment, during each formation, would be 
acted upon differently; hence the difference in the 
combinations. 

The upper strata of the gneiss formation having 
become disintegrated by the action of internal and 
external forces, it was succeeded by the transition, or 
Grauwacke system. The appearance of this system 
evinces a change in the elements, as by fossils of ferns, 
palms, pines and moss, as also crustaceous animals, it 
is proven that the Earth had become capable of gener- 
ating life, which, during previous formations, it had not 
done. I have before said, that life generated at this 
period, both animal and vegetable, was of an imperfect 



48 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

order, as the powers of reproduction were not pos- 
sessed ; which shows, that, although there was then 
existing the power to generate life, there was not the 
power to support it to any considerable extent. 

At this period the atmosphere, as well as water, 
must have become less dense than previously, and 
hence the particles expanded, and the equilibrium for- 
merly holden was destroyed. The circumference of the 
Earth had changed very considerably, and, to restore 
the broken equilibrium, various mountains were 
thrown up. 

Carbon had now become developed in considerable 
quantities, and began to pervade the whole Universe. 
Large quantities of carbonic-acid gas were generated, 
and hence a destruction of life ensued, and the tran- 
sition, or Grauwacke formation became the seat of 
carboniferous lime and coal. 

The density of the Earth having increased, of course 
its motion upon its axis increased also, and hence the 
tides began to extend over the Earth. These gathered 
up shells and vegetable remains, which were wafted to 
the tops of the highest mountains even, and hence the 
fissures that existed in their sides became the seat of 
various carboniferous, quartaceous, micaceous and other 
matter, — which would result as a natural consequence 
from the fusion created by the union of carbon and 
lime. A stratum of carboniferous lime was formed, 
and hence the atmosphere and water, having become 
somewhat relieved of this cumbrous substance, became 
less dense, and dry land became visible. Mountain 
tops peered out above the watery masses, and being 
extremely fertile, trees sprang up and grew with 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 49 

astonishing rapidity and thickness, nntil the elements 
of the soil, necessary for their support, had become 
exhausted, when, as a natural result, decay and decom- 
position would follow. 

Deposits of iron-stone, lime-stone, green-stone, and 
amygdaloid had been made upon the Grauwacke 
system, and these decomposed particles of trees being 
acted upon by the water and atmosphere, and having a 
stronger attraction for carbon, (which they took 'np 
with avidity,) nitrogen and metallic substances, than 
for oxygen, which at this period had been but slightly 
developed, the first deposit of coal was made. This 
stratum was ages in being formed. 

The atmosphere became much less dense from this 
exhaustion of carbon by these substances, and hence, 
in the course of ages, there sprang up another growth 
of trees, which grew even with greater rapidity than 
their predecessors, and hence, in due time also, ex- 
hausted the elements necessary for their support, — 
which were but imperfectly developed, — and hence in 
due time also decayed, became decomposed, and formed 
another stratum of coal. In the coal formation there 
frequently occurs beds of tin, iron, lead, limestone, &c. 

The carbon having been absorbed from the atmos- 
phere, its density was decreased, and the equilibrium 
between the internal and external forces was destroyed. 
The molten masses in the bowels of the Earth, no 
longer sufficiently restrained, expanded, and sought 
vent. The face of the Universe was sadly changed. 
Mountains were moved from their places, strata were 
broken up, and rocks and minerals were thrown from 
the lower strata to the surface of the Earth. Volcanos 
5 



50 THE PHILOSOPHY OP CREATfoN. 

vomited forth their lava, and mountains were perma- 
nently established. It was during this commotion that 
the Alps were established, and hence their granite 
base. The Carpathian mountains were also thrown 
up, new valleys were formed, and seas located. 

For a long time the Universe wore a sad aspect. 
The labor of ages seemed upon the verge of destruc- 
tion ; but in the progress of time the atmosphere gained 
force from the internal elements, and the raging masses 
within retired quietly to their former passivity. Dur- 
ing this catastrophic period, huge rocks were split 
asunder and parted forever by the ingress of other 
substances. And immediately following this convul- 
sion of elements, the crust of the Earth sank, and the 
elements were reorganized. 

It will at once appear evident to your minds, that 
this last mentioned era in the work of formation was 
absolutely necessary for the attainment of the great 
aim of matter. Had not the atmosphere been relieved 
of the carbonic-acid gas, with which, at the expiration 
of the Grauwacke system, it was impregnated, animal 
life could never have been supported or generated ; and 
hence the Earth, at this day, would have been a wild 
waste of useless matter, containing within itself, in 
embryo, the same powers, energies and beauties, that 
at this moment exist in development The busy hordes 
of human beings, who, at this day, are laboring to per- 
fect and beautify the Universe, would have slumbered 
in undeveloped quietude in the desolate waste of 
matter. 

But this era occurred, and by no possibility could it 
be prevented from occurring. There were laws gov- 



THE PHILOSOPHY OP CREATION. 51 

erning matter, forces urging it on, whose progressive 
power and influences must be obeyed. The work of 
development could not be checked ; — hence you see the 
truth of the proposition before advanced by me, that 
matter is progressive, and has within itself the power 
to produce its ultimates. But you must not suppose 
that those ultimates were, even at this period attained, 
for the grand work of development was but upon the 
threshold of progression ; — there were yet other innu- 
merable ages to roll away, before those ultimates could 
be attained. 



What endless beauties round you are display ed,- 
How shines the Godhead in the darkest shade. 



The carboniferous era passed away ; the black masses 
of coal and minerals, that therein were developed, 
began to be hidden by deposits from the atmosphere, 
&e. Vegetation sprang up, and animal life began 
again to exist. The waters had become reduced to 
nearly their present elements, and oxygen and nitrogen 
were the predominant elements of the air. The carbon 
from the air having been nearly exhausted, the coal era 
must close, — otherwise these deposits would have con- 
tinued to be made, even to this day, and to all eternity. 
Evaporation commenced with great vigor, and hence 
frequent rains, oftentimes lasting for many days, inces- 
santly occurred. Various gases had been generated, 
and by the force of all these powers, there were made 
extensive deposits of disintegrated rocks, matter from 
the atmosphere, &c, upon the coal formation. Decay 
attended the vegetable, as well as animal kingdom, and 



52 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

hence their decomposed elements were also used in the 
general coating of the Earth. These deposits, called 
alluvial deposits, are made even at this day. 

Nature was struggling to prepare the Earth for the 
development of its highest existence, " Man," and she 
labored with assiduity for many ages, after the carbon- 
iferous era had passed away, before it was deemed fit 
to be " man's dwelling place." ' The internal elements 
were continually seeking vent, and new gases being 
developed, which, uniting with the various substances 
on the surfa.ee of the Earth, formed a new stratification. 
From the extreme avidity with which limestone took 
up carbon and metallic substances, the chalk formation 
was originated, — various oxydes were formed, &c. 

It is a well established fact among chemists, that 
there are fifty-five elements, which enter into and com- 
pose the various substances in existence ; and further- 
more, that these elements unite differently under 
different action, affinities, &c, and hence give rise to 
various substances. Therefore limestone, being acted 
upon by the gases, developed after the coal formation 
was established, was converted into chalk, which, in its 
turn, became the seat of the oolite formation ; which in 
its turn, became the seat of lias ; and, throughout these 
formations, are to be found several kinds of metals, as 
iron, lead, copper, &c. Limestone took up large quan- 
tities of carbon, and having an affinity for metallic sub- 
stances, w T hich it took up, crystalized, and gave rise to 
the chalk formation. 

Above the coal, during the era of which we now 
speak, was formed the new red sand-stone system, com- 
posed of an aggregate of particles which were afloat in 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 53 

the atmosphere, water, &c. ; which formation produced 
a change in the elements, so far as to reduce the den- 
sity of the air and water ; and thus must happen an- 
other of those catastrophies that marked the close of 
the carboniferous era. The external pressure having 
been reduced very considerably by an exhaustion of the 
carbon &c. in them, the equilibrium formerly holden 
between the external and internal elements was de- 
stroyed, and the internal elements again raged and 
sought an opportunity to escape. There was a long 
night of convulsions ; volcanos vomited forth their fires, 
strata were broken and thrown up, mountains were 
formed, and islands disgorged in the seas. This con- 
vulsion was felt most forcibly at the poles, and south of 
the equator. 

It was during this era that many of the South-sea 
islands were thrown up ; and I may here state, that 
very many of the islands in existence are merely the 
works of various little insects, that have aggregated in 
masses, and established what are termed coral reefs, v 
islands, &c. These infusoria are so minute, as to be 
imperceptible to the eye. Three hundred of them 
would hardly fill the space of a square inch. 

During this mighty convulsion, seas were thrown up 
from their usual beds, and their waters sent over a 
large portion of the Earth. Rivers were turned from 
their channels, and Lakes driven to other valleys. 
Various shells, vegetable and animal remains were 
scattered over the Earth by the waters, which, from the 
force of the internal fires, gases, &c, aggregated, and 
gave rise to what is termed the Oolite formation. 

After a long period of raging and warring between 
5* 



54 THE PHILOSOPHY OP CREATION. 

the internal and external elements, an equilibrium was 
established, and the density of the air and water was 
greatly reduced. The atmosphere had become so re- 
fined and\are as to admit the light of the sun freely, 
and hence there arose upon the face of the earth a 
bright morning, wherein might be generated and sup- 
ported a higher order of animal and vegetable life. 
Evaporation took place with greater force than ever be- 
fore, and hence, from the ocean and other watery re- 
servoirs, were sent off large quantities of water, which 
were swept over the earth, and descended upon the 
mountains and valleys in the form of rains, &c., which 
dashed down their sides in torrents, washing away 
rocks, &c., with rapidity and ease, whose disintegrated 
particles were carried by the waters into the valleys, 
there to form various substances. 

These substances were formed and scattered over the 
different formations* just in proportion to the nature of 
the particles in sediment. If disintegrated particles of 
quartz impregnated the waters, they were brought to- 
gether and aggregated in the form of crystals, agate, 
cornelian, &c. If the water was impregnated with 
limestone, the aggregation of the particles produced 
alabaster, marble, &c. ; hence the reason why, in vari- 
ous formations, there are found various depositions of 
limestone, marble, and kindred substances. Some 
mountains were covered with quartz, others with lime- 
stone, &c., which rocks being worn away by the waters, 
and their disintegrated particles swept into the valleys, 
would be united, by the laws of affinity, and thus give 
rise to the various interspersions. 

It is a fact, well ascertained by scientific men, that 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 55 

the surface of the earth is composed of various oxydes, 
which, when fused, give rise to metallic substances, as 
iron, tin, copper, silver, gold, &c. ; hence, the inference 
to be drawn from the existence of these metals, in various 
formations, is, that the oxydes, from which they were 
developed, w r ere subjected to fusion by the internal fires 
of the earth, and thus were these various ores and 
metallic substances produced. Various portions of the 
matter, held in sediment by the waters, were brought 
together in the form of paste, and hence various rocks* 
were formed — solid and hard — which are endless in 
variety, and many of which are nameless. 

We have found that, during this period, there were 
frequent rains, high winds, &c, which lasted many days 
in succession. The waters of the seas, lakes, rivers, &c., 
held in sediment much loose matter that was destined 
to assist in the grand work of preparing the earth for 
the abiding place of man. The waters evaporated, and 
being swept by the winds over the earth, descended in 
the form of rains, that, in comparison to the rains wit- 
nessed by you at this day, might be called torrents. 
These rains and winds often produced at the poles im- 
mense icebergs — much more extensive than now — 
which, by a succession of winters, w r ere continually in- 
creased in bulk, until they had accumulated a world of 
water. 

A succession of warm summers, produced by the per- 
pendicularity of the earth's axis to the plane of the 
ecliptic, (which, at this period, was occasioned by forces 
of which I shall hereafter speak,) succeeded in melting 
away these huge mountains of ice, which were carried, 
by force of rains and winds, to various portions of the 



56 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

earth, where they were melted, and so great was their 
volume, that a grand inundation of the earth followed. 
Nearly the whole earth was submerged, animal and 
vegetable life yielded to its ravages, andr in many parts 
were destroyed. Human life was at that period extant, 
and a large portion of human existence was swept 
away : — hence the legend of the Flood, and hence the 
Diluvial deposits. After the waters had raged from 
point to point, they were obliged to seek an equilibri- 
um, and, retiring to the valleys, various oceans, seas, 
lakes and rivers, were formed. 

This Deluge must of necessity happen, and was not 
sent, as many at this day suppose, and as the Bible al- 
leges, to destroy the wicked from the face of the earth. 
Laws had been established that must be obeyed, among 
which were several to produce this submersion. 

The force of capillary attraction, aided and assisted 
by heavy rains, extreme cold, and strong winds, would 
necessarily produce icebergs. The relative change in 
the density of the earth, and the consequent change in 
the influence of other bodies upon it, would alter the 
relative situation of the earth to the sun, and hence 
change th3 seasons ; and heat, having power to melt 
away ice, it necessarily followed, that the change in 
the seasons, occasioned by the change in the earth's 
situation — the perpendicularity of its axis to the plane 
of the ecliptic — would increase the length of summers, 
intensity of heat, &c. ; and, assisted by rains and 
winds, these forces would produce a melting away and 
removal of the large icebergs accumulated at the poles ; 
and the melting away of the icebergs would destroy the 
equilibrium formerly holden by the waters of the 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 57 

earth, occasion seas to overleap their boundaries, rivers 
and lakes to forget their channels, and a grand submer- 
sion to follow. 

It must not be supposed that the whole earth was 
submerged, for there was never a sufficient quantity of 
water upon the earth to produce a universal deluge ; 
and this leads me to speak of the absurdity of the script- 
ural account of the Flood. 

It is said in the Bible, and believed by a large class 
of men, that mankind had become so prone to evil, 
committed so great wickednesses, that God determined 
to destroy them from the face of the earth, in order that 
a new race might spring up, which would better adorn 
the universe, and worship him ; consequently he came 
in a vision to a man called Noah, and advised him of 
his intentions, telling him that it was his pleasure that 
he and his family should escape the general inundation, 
and to this end, he must build himself an ark of Gopher 
wood, three hundred cubits in length, fifty cubits in 
breath, and thirty cubits in height, in which he was to 
make rooms, pitched over to prevent the ingress of water, 
and in these were to be deposited, of each of the ani- 
mals of the field, to restock the earth, birds of the air, 
[fishes of the sea,*] and all creeping things — some by 
pairs and some by sevens. 

Noah built the ark as directed, and the Lord came 
to him in another vision and advised him of the day 
when he should be prepared. Consequently the doors 
of the ark were opened, and there were gathered 
together into that ark, two of each of the animals of the 



* It was remarked in explanation, that " all flesh" must include the Jishes of the sea 
— else they, too, would have been drowned ! 



58 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

field, birds of the air, [fishes of the sea,] and all creep- 
ing things, and such as crawl upon the belly, some by 
pairs and some by sevens. 

When this august body had become located in their 
respective apartments, Noah and his family went in — 
the doors were closed, the windows of the heavens were 
opened, and incessantly, for forty days and forty nights, 
the rain descended in torrents, until the peaks of the 
highest mountains were lost in the bosom of the waters, 
and all mankind, &c, were swept away from the stage 
of life and activity, to that lake burning with fire and 
brimstone, prepared for the Devil and his angels ! 

That must have been a pleasing spectacle for God. 
No doubt he sat above the waters, Nero-like, laughing 
at and gloating over the miseries of mankind, w T hom he 
had created and pronounced Good — but afterwards 
" Repented of having created." I say there is no doubt 
he did this, if he really sent the Flood, as alleged in the 
Holy writ. But I will now say that God never yet sent 
his flood to destroy mankind ;— and, whenever any 
calamity, among the elements, has occurred, to sweep 
away any portion of life — either human or other — it 
has occurred by force of necessity, of natural laws, 
whose progress even Deity had not the power to stay. 

Let us now examine into the probability of the truth 
of the scriptural account of the Flood. In the first 
place, let us inquire whether God, according to the 
Scripture itself, profited at all by, or in the remotest 
degree attained the end, for which it is alleged he sent 
the aforesaid Flood. 

It is said. that he repented that he had made man, 
because of their wickedness, and hence determined to 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 59 

* 

destroy all but Noah and his family, whom he saved for 
restocking the Earth with a more moral and God-loving 
people. 

Let us also premise from the Bible, that God is an 
infinite personage, and knew from the beginning all 
which was to occur in the future, even unto the end of 
time; — consequently he must have known, when he 
created man, every act that he was to perform on Earth ; 
he must have known that their wickedness would be as 
it was. And now, in view of this, let me ask, is it not 
strange, — exceedingly strange, that he should have cre- 
ated man \ Does any one entertain so poor an opinion 
of God, as to suppose that he would have created him 
merely for the purpose of destroying him % Yet, if you 
believe the scriptural account of the deluge, you must 
certainly conclude that God delighted in the destruction 
of his children ; that he created them for the purpose of 
destroying them, — else why did he create them, when 
he knew from the beginning that he was to destroy 
them'? 

Eeader, do not be astonished that I deal thus with 
the Bible, for I do it simply to show you its absurdi- 
ties, as well as the absurd notions that people entertain 
of God. 

Now it seems to me that if God is, and was the all- 
powerful being that he is represented to be, he might 
have avoided this mighty catastrophe. If he had the 
power to create man, to destroy him, he had equally the 
power to control him; and it seems strange to me, 
according to the account, that he did not, instead of 
destroying man, exert his power to change his conduct, 
to control his life, — which he could easily do,— and thus 



60 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

avoid the necessity of repenting that he had made man. 
But in view of all things, it seems stranger to me that 
God should have allowed any to escape death, when it 
appears to have been his intention to build up or pro- 
duce a more moral and God-loving people by the flood. 
It was as easy for him to recreate man, as to destroy 
him. Hence, it seems to me, that if he sent the flood 
for the purpose alleged, he was extremely destitute of 
foresight, for, by the Bible itself you are taught that no 
sooner had Noah got out of the ark, than he planted 
himself a vineyard and become drunk with wine, — in 
wilich situation being found by one of his sons, who 
exposed his shame and mocked him, — (Ham), he was 
cursed, and sent out upon the face of the Earth to be 
the root of a stock of negroes. The sons of Noah began 
to multiply, and became in a short space of time more 
wicked even than those who had preceded them. 

Now is it not a disparagement of the wisdom of God 
to suppose that he would send his flood to destroy 
mankind, because of their wickedness, and suffer to 
escape a family that was to be the founder of a far 
more wicked race 1 

Again ; it is a great query with me, whence a suf- 
ficient quantity of water could be obtained to deluge 
the whole Earth to the extent it is there alleged 
occurred. It seems that the flood descended in the 
form of rain. Bains are occasioned by an evaporation 
of water, from the waters of the Earth, — the vapor 
being swept away to various localities, to descend in 
showers, storms, &c. Now it seems to me that, — rains 
always occurring in this way, — if the waters had de- 
scended for the space of forty days and nights, instead 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 61 

of inundating the whole Eartri, they would have sought 
their channels again, and, by the time these were filled, 
that the rains must have ceased. 

It is said that God became sorry that he had done as 
he did, and consequently entered into and formed a 
covenant with Noah, that he would never destroy the 
Earth by flood again, and, as a seal of this important 
obligation, placed his Bow in the heavens. 

Now it strikes me, that, whenever there is moisture 
in the form of rain-drops in the atmosphere, and sun- 
light to fall upon them, as a necessary result, Rainbows, 
as they are familiarly called, would ensue. They hap. 
pen by force of a law that existed innately in matter, 
and, long before the aforesaid flood happened, were set 
in the sky. 

Another very strange query will present itself to 
your minds, and that is, how there could have been 
crammed into that little ark, covering but a few thou- 
sand square feet, so many animals. 

At that period, it is plainly proven, by fossil remains, 
that there were in existence animals far more huge in 
dimensions than now, — two of which would fill a small 
ark ; — yet, according to scripture, two Mammoths, two 
Elephants, two Whales, two Rhinoceroses, two Sea- 
Serpents, two Sharks, two Apes, two Kangaroos, two 
Orang-Outangs, two Monkeys, two Rattlesnakes, two 
Crocodiles, two Alligators, two Lions, two Bears, &c, 
&c, &c, almost to infinity, were stored away in a little 
building not an acre square. It is a great wonder how 
there could have been enough air for all this happy, 
lucky lot, — and what they ate. It is also difficult to 
imagine how the whales and fishes lived without water. 
6 



62 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

But I will not go on with this disgusting rehearsal. 
Common sense revolts at such stuff, and the day is not 
distant, when these absurd and ridiculous accounts will 
be committed to the shades of oblivion, where they 
properly belong, and mankind be led by the dictates of 
reason and truth. 

The rack, the inquisition, the scaffold, and stake, 
originally were used as a quietus to the advance of 
science, but the days of religious intolerance and perse- 
cution have gone by ; the light of science will stream in 
upon the world ; and hence you find men endeavoring 
to distort the Bible into such shapes as to obscure its 
imperfections exposed by science; — but their screens 
are flimsy, and but a few short seasons will roll away, 
when that Book will be regarded as it is, much of it, 
simply a mass of legendary tales. But I will return to 
my subject. 

The waters sent over the Earth by the melting away 
of the icebergs, contained in sediment much matter 
which was deposited, together with other matter, accu- 
mulated in its ragings from mountains, &c., upon the 
Earth, which deposits are now called the diluvial for- 
mation. The raging of the waters was terrible. Moun- 
tains, that towered towards the heavens in princely 
grandeur, were reduced to little hills. Hills were con- 
verted into mountains. Seas changed their beds, rivers 
sought new channels, and a wide change was effected 
in the face of the universe. 

It must be remembered that the whole Earth was not 
inundated, but the eastern continent was chiefly the 
seat of this convulsion of waters. 

By the melting away of these stupendous icebergs, 



THE PHILOSOPHY OP CREATION. 63 

the equilibrium between the internal and external forces 
was again destroyed. Volcanos sent forth their fires. 
Islands were thrown up, and rain, smoke and lava 
descended upon the Earth in torrents, laying waste to 
a vast deal of human life. In the short space of five 
days the equilibrium was* reestablished, the waters 
sought their beds, and Nature began to put forth her 
energies to repair the injuries done to the face of 
Creation. 

We have before observed, that human life was at this 
time developed, and hence each nation and tribe has its 
legend of the flood, all of which differ, and all of which 
are equally incorrect. 

Various strata were formed by this convulsion, of 
which it is not my province to speak. 

We have, in a brief manner, traced matter from its 
primitive condition up to the development of the climax 
of Nature's efforts. We have seen the Earth laboring 
to fit itself for man's abiding place, and have found her 
labors crowned with success ; and it now behooves us 
to return, and in a brief manner trace her progress in 
developing life, and its ultimate, Man. 



CHAPTER V. 



MAN. 



I have hastily sketched the progress of matter from 
its original chaotic state, to that point in time when the 
Earth became prepared for the generation and support 
of animal life. In the hasty sketch drawn, I have 



64 THE PHILOSOPHY OP CREATION. 

sufficiently illustrated trie truth of the proposition, laid 
down in the preceding chapter, that " matter is pro- 
gressive, and has within itself the power to produce its 
ultimates." 

You have seen the wild chaos of matter so far turned 
into subjection to natural laws, as to give rise to the 
first, or granite formation. You have seen this forma- 
tion close, to give rise to another, the gneiss formation; 
and this, in its turn, succeeded by the transition, the 
transition by the coal, and the coal by various strata, 
all of which have given rise to various states of atmos- 
phere, &c. 

In that rapid sketch, you have seen the work of 
development going on from point to point, and have 
seen that each formation has been an ascending and 
necessary step in the ladder of progression. You have 
seen the first point in time when life was developed, 
and that the life developed has invariably been anala- 
gous to the state of matter, the elements, &c. ; that, as 
matter refined or progressed, life of all kinds progressed 
and perfected itself; that all the great convulsions in 
nature have had their due influence in the work of 
development, and have been necessary consequences of 
natural laws. You have seen nature untiringly, assidu- 
ously laboring with the elements, to prepare the Earth 
for a grand end. Your own perceptions will lead you 
to the inference that that end was the creation of Man. 

I shall not go back to trace the progress of animal 
life from its development to its ultimate, as that will 
be unnecessary ; for, the enlightened mind, from what 
has already been written, will concede that " matter is 
progressive," and that life of all kinds is progressive, 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 65 

varying, as I have before said, as the elements are 
changed in their character. It is enough for me to say, 
that " Man," the masterpiece of nature's productions, the 
highest exhibition of superior skill, came up, by regular 
stages of gradation, from the lowest point of animal life, 
to his present high state. It will be unnecessary for 
me to point out the connecting links 'twixt him and the 
monad, for the veriest school-boy is familiar with them. 
I will simply state that man came up by regular stages 
of gradation from the monad. 

The ultimate of matter is not met in man's Earthly 
existence ; for he has within himself a progressive prin- 
ciple, or spirit, that is developed in the body, thrown 
oif at Death and commences a still higher state of life 
in celestial regions. Man is truly a superior being, 
because the highest physical development of matter. 
He contains within himself a principle of intelligence, 
that is possessed by none other of the animal kingdom. 
Before I 6peak further of man, allow me to notice the 
scriptural account of his creation. 

The ancients, who were fruitful in expedients, deemed 
it necessary to account for the creation of man ; hence, 
after preparing the Earth for his reception, in a very 
summary manner, they proceed to tell you, that upon 
the sixth day of creation, God created man after his 
own image, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of 
life. But in the hurry of creation, he forgot to make a 
woman, and hence he had to place Adam in a deep 
sleep that he might take out a few of his left ribs ta 
create Eve, a female. 

Now it has always puzzled me, and I presume that it 
has likewise troubled yourselves to imagine, how God 
6* 



66 THE PHILOSOPHY OP CREATION. 

could make a woman from a few of Adam's ribs ; and 
still more it perplexes me to imagine the reason or 
necessity for so doing, unless he had used up all the 
flesh-material in making Adam. 

It seems that when Adam awoke, he found his ribs 
gone, and in looking about to find them, discovered 
that they had been formed into a pretty " Eve." 

God placed this happy pair in the Garden of Eden, 
and left them to be as happy as needs be. But wishing 
to try the power of his last handiwork to resist tempta- 
tion, it seems he forbid their tasting the fruit of a par- 
ticular tree, under the penalty of certain Death, should 
they do so ; and to make the temptation still stronger, 
he created and placed in the Garden a serpent, whose 
' duty it was to beguile the woman, if possible, and get 
her to taste the fruit, well knowing that though the 
serpent might not be able to seduce Adam, JEve could. 

It seems that, after a long series of temptings, Eve 
was induced to take of the fruit of the forbidden tree, 
and Adam par-took also from the hand of Eve. God 
all the while had been concealed in ambush ; but, as 
soon as he found his law had been broken, and the fruit 
tasted, he came forth, and poured his wrath both upon 
the pair and the serpent. Adam and Eve were /driven 
from the Garden, and Sin was ushered into the world. 
The poor serpent, who had no more than done his duty, 
was cursed, made to crawl on his belly, and to have his 
head bruised by the seed of the woman. God then 
swore in his wrath that " Death " should happen, &c. 

Now this account of creation, the fall, &c, does not 
contemplate a very high state for mankind ; because it 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 67 

would seem from it that God originally did not provide 
a haven for the weary soul, when the cares of earth 
were strong, but intended that he should multiply to a 
certain extent, and then cease to multiply, and live in 
the body forever. Let us examine this account some- 
what, and find what ridiculous notions people will hug 
to their hearts, and cling to, even in an enlightened age 
of the world. 

Reader, what idea have you of God ? Do you regard 
him as an all-wise and powerful being ] Do you; regard 
him as a humane Father, or as a barbarous monster f s 
If you regard him as a humane being, and a being of 
infinite power, can you for a moment believe that he 
created man in the manner represented in holy writ, — 
subjected him to temptations, caused his fall, cursed 
him forever, and introduced sin into the world \ Is 
such a series of acts compatible with the Nature of an 
all-wise and perfect being 1 No, no; human reason re- 
volts at such ideas, and it is only a mental passiveness 
that allows any one to credit such narrations. Should 
the mind be allowed to be passive upon Divine matters % 
For what purpose were your reasoning faculties given 
you % Was it not that you might be able to detect 
right and wrong] By* what are you to determine 
whether the Bible is the word of God % Are you not to 
be allowed to subject it to the test of your reason ? 
How else can you determine its genuineness 1 Will it 
not stand the test of human reason \ If not, it 
should most certainly not be credited. Let Priests 
tell you, as much as they please, that the ways of 
God are above human comprehension, — your own 



68 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

common sense teaches you that you have a right 
to think and to reason upon matters within the scope 
of human thought. 

One exceedingly important fact escaped the notice of 
the writer of Genesis. It is a well ascertained fact, — 
and is said in a subsequent chapter of the Bible — that 
there were giants in those days, in the land, and long 
before Adam was created. Now giants are embraced in 
the category of human beings, and must have been pos- 
sessed of human faculties. When were they created % 

Let the mind, for one single hour, scan the records 
of the soidisant Holy writ, and it will revolt at its ab- 
surdity. I am confident that pious eyes will turn in 
holy horror from these pages, but I am speaking Truth 
— if not, let him who can, contradict it. 

Man was developed as the highest physical ultimate 
of matter, and endowed with a progressive spirit, that 
cannot, and will not be chained. Error may for a time 
dampen its energies, and stay its progress, assisted by 
the machinations of persecution, but it will ultimately 
burst its fetters, cast aside its chains, and seek after, 
and find Truth. The intelligent mind will not be satis- 
fied with mere ambiguous legends, and wild creations 
of fancy, but will search for a Better base upon which 
to found its religion. 

Man, having come up, by regular stages of gradation, 
from the monad, has" within himself the types of all ex- 
istences, and a combination of all motions, hence is 
superior to all other of the animal creation. 

I may here briefly state, in substantiation of the pro- 
position before laid down, in reference to the develop- 
ment of man, that fossil remains, found in the different 



THE PHILOSOPHY OP CREATION. 69 

formations, plainly show that matter had within itself 
powers to generate animal life in a perfect or imperfect 
state, in proportion to its own perfect or imperfect con- 
dition. In the Transition formation, you will find the 
crustaceous animals developed, and, in time, this suc- 
ceeded by the fish, this running into the saurian, the 
saurian into the bird, the bird into the marsupial, the 
marsupial into the mammalial, the mammalial into the 
human ; — and thus, by regular improvements upon life, 
during distinct periods, was man developed. 

The fact, that, during the first era of life, fishes were 
developed, and next the saurian, having alJL the attri- 
butes of the fish, and more, &c, &c., is sufficient to 
satisfy any one that man is the ultimate of Nature's ef- 
forts, and that, as an end, each animal development 
was unfolded and became continually improved, as the 
condition of matter improved, until man capped the 
climax of life. 

Reason is alone possessed by Man. All other of the 
animal kingdom exhibit intelligence of a peculiar kind, 
but he alone, of all the rest, exhibits and possesses a 
progressive tendency. 

The Robin builds, its nest in the same form, and 
ushers in the rising day with the same tune that it sang 
upon the first morn of creation. The Beaver constructs 
its dam, and builds its habitation after the same fashion 
that its progenitors did ; and thus, all through the ani- 
mal kingdom, you find a fixed principle governing each 
class, a principle from which there is no progression or 
retrocession, but a fixedness of habit that was the same 
yesterday, to-day, and will be the same forever. 

This is instinct ; — but pian, from the first hour of his 



70 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

development, has gone on in the path of progression, 
continually changing his mode of life, devising new 
means, attaining new ends, until the face of the uni- 
verse is covered with specimens of his genius and skill. 
Not satisfied with the present, he is continually invent- 
ing new things, discovering and applying new principles, 
until his power seems God-like. Not satisfied with a 
knowledge of the little, pent-up world which is the 
theatre of his life, he has roved among the stars, mapped 
down their localities, noted their revolutions, fancied 
their internal condition, until they have become " mile- 
stones in a familiar path." From all other of the ani- 
mal kingdom he is distinguished by this progressive 
spirit, and this is the result of Reason, 

If the young robin be removed from its kind, untutored 
and untaught in the architecture of its species, it will 
build its nest as well, and in the same form, as when 
surrounded by its kindred. But remove a child from 
its parents, and place it in the wilds of the forest, and 
though it will seek for itself a shelter from the storms, 
build itself .a home, and exhibit superior powers to the 
mere animals about it, it will not exhibit the skill and 
refinement of its species ; because the innate principles 
of nature have not been developed by the power of dis- 
cipline and education. Yet allow this child the power 
to propagate, and found a new race, and soon the 
powers of the mind will begin to exhibit themselves in 
various improvements, until, perhaps, that newly found- 
ed race will outstrip its progenitors in skill and knowl- 
edge. Thus it will be perceived, that man is truly a 
progressive being. Created and endowed with superior 
powers, he evidently has a high mission to perform, 



THE PHILOSOPHY OP CREATION. 71 

and it behooves you to pause upon the threshold of life, 
and endeavor to discern what ,that mission is. He has 
physical wants to supply, — he must have a shelter from 
the storms, raiment to protect him from the inclemen- 
cies of the weather, and food to supply the demands of 
Nature ; but to supply these wants is not the sole object 
in his creation ; for if it was, then is he merely a physi- 
cal being and an animal. 

Man has other and higher duties to perform, besides 
these, for he is a spiritual as well as physical creature. 
He is a part and parcel of that superior intelligence, 
who was the architect of the universe. But it is a 
lamentable fact, that at this day men forget the true 
aims of life, and make their sole object wealth. They 
bow devoutly at the shrine of Mammon, and worship no 
other God. A man is measured by the amount of gold 
he has — and not by his intellectual and moral worth. 

The first aspiration breathed into the mind of the 
child from the cradle, is to gain gold. He is taught by 
his ambitious parents, that all other aims are merely 
minor objects, and must be sunk in this. The priest 
goes into his pulpit and preaches — not for the glory of 
God, or the spiritual elevation of his church. He caters 
to the views and inclinations of the church, because he 
fears to lose his support by doing otherwise. Interest 
requires that he should be a Hypocrite, and he bows to 
its requirement. And in fact, throughout every depart- 
ment of life, you find the same power operating. But 
few dare take an independent stand, lest they shall 
lose pecuniarily, and be subjected to popular persecu- 
tion. Thank Heaven, there are a few bold minds, that, 
reckless of pecuniary interest or popular favor, dare be 



72 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

men. It is this same Interest of which I have spoken, 
that has kept the religion of the day alive, that has 
shielded the Bible from its proper fate, and preserved 
Error. 

Man is not simply a physical being, hence his aims 
should not be solely physical. It is his highest duty to 
develope and unfold the intellectual powers that Nature 
has lavished upon him — to cultivate and refine his 
spiritual part, by a study of Nature and her laws ; for 
by so doing, alone, can be attained the true end of his 
existence. To live in harmony with Nature, one must 
needs be acquainted with her manifold laws, and to be 
acquainted with these laws he must study them. 

The ultimate of matter is not met with in man's 
bodily life : — he is placed on Earth to develope, unfold, 
enlarge the spiritual principle which he contains, that 
he may be prepared to take a proper stand in celestial 
regions. For, as the spirit is developed, enlarged in 
the body, will it be prepared to take a higher or lower 
stand in those regions. Man is a progressive being ; 
his progression, commencing on Earth, is continued 
forever in the Spirit Land. Hence it behooves all to 
take proper care that their spiritual welfare be attended 
to — that their , spiritual powers be developed and culti- 
vated. Let gold, fame, every worldly ambition, instead 
of being prime, be the minor objects of life, and your 
spiritual progression your absorbing aim ; then, and 
not till then, will society be reduced to its proper 
condition, and a grand Harmonial system be established 
on Earth. 

Society exists upon a wrong basis, and, as the chief 
cause of this inharmonious condition, I may mention 



t 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 73 

the Religious Dogmas of the day. I always said, when 
on earth, and I now repeat, that enlightened minds can 
never honestly entertain the ridiculous ideas advanced 
by the religionists of the day, or accredit the Bible as 
the word of God ; but that the tendency of these is to 
produce Hypocrites and Infidels. From the absurdi- 
ties that the mind discerns in the dogmas of the Church, 
and in the Holy writ, which they are simply passive to, 
mankind come to doubt the existence of God even, and 
hence make the aims of life purely physical. This is the 
natural result of absurd religion ; and this is the con- 
dition of society to-day, and such will continue to be the 
state of society, until religion is based upon reason and 
common sense — until the laws of Nature are appreciat- 
ed and understood. 

The tendency of the religion of the day is not moral 
— as the condition of society plainly evinces. God is 
not worshiped in your churches, but is mocked, blas- 
phemed by hypocrites and knaves. I say that the 
religion of the day is demoralizing^ and crushes beneath 
its demonish feet the noblest attributes of the soul, 
blasts its natural aspirations, and feeds it on " air ;" and 
I need but refer to the present moral condition of 
society to substantiate this proposition. Your Priests 
claim to be spiritual teachers, and to them are you 
called for spiritual knowledge. Let us see if they are 
what they claim to be. 

The e orthodox ' portion of the world claim as an 
axiom, that the Bible is the word of God. That the 
fall of man brought sin, and all its dire effects into the 
world, and made it necessary for God to create a Heaven 
and a Hell, — Heaven to be the abode of those who led 
7 



74 THE PHILOSOPHY OF. CREATION. 

righteous lives, and found favor in his eyes — Hell to be 
the abode of the wicked, and the kingdom of the devil. 
Finding that a large class of his children were getting 
into hell, he deemed it expedient to send his son into 
the world to be persecuted and crucified, that man, 
through him, might be saved from his sins by repent- 
ance. 

Christ being crucified, however, by the people, a 
double burthen was placed upon the poor sinner; for 
not only is he now obliged to atone for his own sins, 
but also for the sins of his forefathers, — a sort of attaint- 
ing system, that exists in some nations now, by which 
the children are obliged to bear the sins of their fathers. 

Priests tell you that Christ was sent into the world 
to be a mediator between God and man ; — hence, if you 
will but repent of your sins, even though an hour, or a 
moment before death, they will be forgiven, and you 
can be ushered into the joys of heaven. Thus the 
veriest villains on Earth, — murderers, thieves, liars, &c., 
can continue their evil career through a long course of 
life, and if, upon their death-beds, they see fit to repent 
of their sins, they will be forgiven, washed away by the 
blood of the Lamb, and their miserable souls will be 
ushered immaculate into the presence of God, to be the 
companions of saints and angels. By a few words 
whispered in the ear of a priest, they are saved from the 
pangs of hell. 

Now what is the effect of such a religion % I hardly' 
need answer. What an idea of God must men have, who 
can credit such stuff! How elevated their notions of 
life and its ends ! What an incentive to intellectual and 
moral progression ! Beware of so dangerous notions, 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 75 

for I can assure you, and your own reason will re-assure 
you that they are false, absurd, dangerous. They leave 
entirely out of view the progressive nature of man, and 
make him a mere pantomime. They give to God qual- 
ities such as are despisable in men, and much more 
despisable in a Superior being. If all that is necessary 
for the washing away of sin is simply a falling upon the 
knees, and saying " Glory to God, 7 ' a few moments 
before physical dissolution, then God is a vain, boastful 
God, and man a mere sycophant, — created by God sim- 
ply that his vanity might be gratified by hypocritical 
and fawning tongues ; — and it matters but little what 
attention is paid to the development and cultivation of 
the attributes of the soul, — for they will be of no avail, 
save only as they conduce to worldly comfort and profit. 
Intellectual and moral improvement is entirely useless, 
further than the simple attainment of physical ends. 
How ridiculous ! 

That the above inferences may properly be drawn 
from the creeds of the churches of the day will appear 
evident, from the idea entertained of heaven by religion- 
ists generally. You are told in your churches that 
heaven is a land afar off in the regions of space, where 
the weary soul is refreshed from the cares of Earth, by 
the splendor and glory about it. You are told that it 
is a large city, called New Jerusalem, whose streets are 
paved with gold, and whose valleys flow with milk and 
honey. In the centre of this enormous city, you are told, 
that there is a " great white throne " of Alabaster, 
upon which is seated God, with a sceptre in his hand, 
which he sways relentlessly over the heads of those 
immaculate saints who have been so lucky as to find 



7G THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

favor in his eyes. At his right hand are seated his 
cabinet, who have in charge the " Book of life," in 
which are kept the records of each saint's life, — which 
is to be opened when the last trump shall sound, and 
the account between God and each soul balanced. In 
front of this throne is a Bar, called the bar of God, 
before which each soul is to be arraigned to receive its 
sentence. On the left hand of the throne are seated 
the souls of the saints, whose only employment is to 
sing paeans of praise to the " King of kings." 

Now many may deem this account of heaven blasphe- 
mous, — and indeed it is; — but nevertheless it is the 
account, verbatim et literatim, given every day in your 
churches, to which fact every honest man will attest. 
Reader, what think you ? Does this idea of heaven give 
you very exalted ideas either of God, or the ends of 
human life'? Does it serve as an incentive to moral 
and intellectual progression 1 I know your answers : I 
shall read them from your soul, as you scan these 
pages. 

Let us see, — heaven, they tell you, is " New Jeru- 
salem," with pavements of gold. Now ask yourself 
what possible pleasure God, the author of all things, 
could find in material splendor % If this idea of heaven 
be correct, then heaven is a material world, and will be 
occupied by material beings, — flesh and blood. This 
too is claimed by your priests ; for they tell you that, 
" there is to be a grand day of Judgment, — a day when 
the dead, both small and great, shall be called before 
God, to be judged ; " when the dust of their bodies is to 
be gathered from the four quarters of the Earth, and 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 77 

again placed " in form ; " when the same blood that 
now flows through your veins will be quickened into 
circulation, and yourselves become, after long ages of 
death -slumber, "yourselves again." 

The absurdity of notions of this kind will ap- 
pear evident to you from the following truths, — truths 
that are advanced and conceded by a large portion of 
the orthodox world. God is an immutable being; He 
is the author of all things. He established the laws 
which govern all things ; and those laws — like himself, 
are immutable. He never has changed, nor will change 
them, because they are perfect, and need no change. 
These propositions are advanced by the most orthodox 
portion of the world, and are known to be truths by all 
sensible beings. Then it follows, the laws of nature 
being immutable, that the relation between flesh and 
spirit can never be changed, but must ever remain the 
same. 

Now the natural tendency of flesh is gross, — of spirit, 
refined; unite flesh and spirit, and, as a natural and 
inevitable result, grossness will follow. Hence if man's 
ultimate spiritual progression is to be crowned with a 
material body, it follows as a natural consequence, that 
he will again become a being possessed of gross pro- 
pensities, and have to re-fight the battle attendant upon 
a union of flesh and spirit. Hence heaven, instead of 
being the abode of immaculate saints, will be as much 
a theatre of sin, folly, turmoil and strife, as the Earth 
is now. — What object can there be in paving the streets^ 
of heaven with go Id, unless it be to gratify the miserly 
feelings of those who enter in at the gates of the " New 



78 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

Jerusalem"'? Of what use can the rivers of milk and 
honey be, unless to feed the greedy appetites of those 
who abide upon their banks % 

Let me ask you candidly, — do you believe that God 
is so fond of flattery, as to create men simply to be his 
flatterers % You answer, No. Then let me ask you, — 
can you accredit the common notions of the day in* 
reference to him and heaven \ Most certainly not ; for 
if you do, then you must believe God to be a vain 
being, and heaven the theatre of his vanity ; for you are 
told that the sole occupation of saints is to sing pseans 
of praise to. God. Does this contemplate a very high 
state of life for man 1 It converts heaven into a grand 
camp-meeting, where from age to age, shouts and songs 
will unceasingly ring, and fall sweetly on the ear of 
him, who created man after his own im|ge, and pro- 
nounced him good. 

These ideas are false, and your oivn reason rejects 
them. Man was not created simply to be a puppet, but 
is a progressive being, as I have before said, and will 
reap happiness proportioned to his spiritual condition, 
when he throws off his mortal coil, and becomes a 
spiritual being. Base not your ideas of the soul's 
future condition upon empty nonsense, but learn from 
nature the important truth ; let reason teach you, and 
all will be well. God keeps no books of debt and credit, 
balances no accounts; — your own soul is the parch- 
ment, whereon are written your virtues and your vices. 
y Be careful that the former predominate, and in the 
spirit land you will reap happiness and joy. Put the 
talents, given you by nature, into the hands of the 
usurer, — unfold, cultivate, develope the powers of the 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 79 

soul, and you will meet the requirements of nature, and 
nature's God. 

I have said that the ultimate of matter is not met in 
man, but that he has within himself a principle of intel- 
ligence or spirit, that commences its development in the 
body, and continues it in celestial regions ; — hence man 
must physically die. Notwithstanding the perfect con- 
fidence which many tell you they feel in the existence 
and power of God, but a few of the thousands, who are 
daily ushered into eternity, approach their death-beds 
without feelings of fear and horror. They look forward 
into* the vista of the future, and fear that, perchance, 
they may be mistaken in reference to their immortality, 
and hence cling to life with the utmost tenacity. 
Doubts lurk in their minds, and they. cannot go to the 
grave 

" Like him who wraps the drapery of his couch about him. 
And lies down to pleasant dreams," — 

but fearfully, reluctantly approach it, as the grand 
finale of all life and pleasure. By all classes, Christians, 
Infidels, &c., death is looked upon as a huge monster, 
going about seeking whom it may devour ; and when 
at last they feel its presence, they fain would arrest its 
power, and ward off the fatal hour. But the human 
hand cannot stay it. When the arrow is set in the 
bow, it surely strikes its mark, and high and low, 
— Christian and Infidel, alike fall victims. 

This fear of death arises from the doubts that people 
entertain in reference to God, and the immortality of 
the soul. To alleviate the dread of this phase of life, 
spirits came from their happy homes to show their 



80 THE PHILOSOPHY OP CREATION. 

Earthly friends that there is in store for all an immortal 
existence ; but men in their boastfulness reject them, 
and say they never had a doubt as to their immortality. 
And yet it is a fact, that but few have perfect faith in 
an immortal existence. Faith is not knowledge. People, 
who will take the trouble, can learn from us the fact of 
immortality, and hence have every doubt removed. 
How many a one, since we first began to make our 
demonstrations, who has refused to receive our visits, — 
when laid low upon the bed of death, have wished that 
they had examined our claims. They find that they 
need more than faith to sustain them in that trying 
hour, — they wish for knowledge. And how many there 
now are, who are rejecting us and our advocates, who, 
under the same circumstances, will repent in " sack- 
cloth and ashes," that they did not investigate the 
matter. 

I have passed the valley of the shadow of death, and 
it may be pleasing to many to learn something in rela- 
tion to that point in life which is so generally dreaded. 
When the physical energies become attenuated by age, 
or disease, the soul struggles to cast off its fetters, and 
death ensues. Under different circumstances, the pangs 
of death differ; but upon physical dissolution com- 
monly, there is but slight pain, — the most severe pain 
precedes the falling off of the pulse. When the blood 
ceases to act forcibly, the heart lessens its beats, and so 
weak becomes the state of the system, that the lamp of 
life goes out as sweetly, as one would, after severe 
'exhaustion, fall into the arms of refreshing sleep. The 
pain, when one dies from disease of an exhaust- 



THE PHILOSOPHY OP CREATION. 81 

ing character, is seldom severe ; but when one is 
stricken down by an accidental hand, in the full vigor 
of life, health and strength, the pain is very severe. 
The spirit commences its departure from the body as 
soon as the heart ceases its beatings, and the blood its 
ebb and now. 

Usually as soon as the damp of dissolution seats 
itself upon the system, the spirit is given the power of 
perceiving its guardians, who are continually hovering 
about it, to cheer its entrance into the Spirit Land. 
This perception of guardians with me, and in fact with 
nearly all who have died, was given some few moments 
after my physical powers had been dampened forever. 
A brilliantly intense light shoots in upon the soul, — it 
sees flitting about it ethereal beings, familiar in coun- 
tenance, &c., and hears confused voices, whisperings' 
and angelic music, such as the human ear has not yet 
been blessed with. It becomes confused and over- 
whelmed by the scene, and deems the whole a dream ; 
but in a short space of time, the joyful reality bursts 
upon its vision. Angel friends flock around it to greet 
its arrival to its new home, and the happy spirit confi- 
dently and joyfully embraces old friends and kindred, 
and thanks God that it is free from the miserable exist- 
ence of Earth. It finds itself in possession of new 
powers. In stead of perceiving things through the 
gross organs of the body, it finds itself intuitively per- 
ceiving them. Instead of desiring to re-enjoy the 
pleasures of Earth, it loathes them, and wonders that it 
could ever have enjoyed its delights. It is conducted 
through the blissful regions by its guardians and friends, 



82 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

and by affinity, is left to choose its circle of associates 
and friends. When located, the spirit commences the 
work of progression. 

I wish in this place to correct a few erroneous 
impressions that have been commonly entertained, and 
frequently honestly entertained, in reference to my own 
death. When I was upon Earth, I was well known to 
the orthodox world as Thomas Paine, or in common 
parlance, as " Tom Paine ; " and by my various writ- 
ings upon theological subjects, that were considerable 
obstacles in their way, gained the entire disapprobation 
of the soi disant Christians. When on Earth my name 
was associated with every thing evil, and used as a sort 
of accompaniment with the word devil. Children, by 
their pious parents, were taught to regard me as a sort 
bf " devil incarnate," and, at the mention of my name, 
would hug closely to their mother's knees, and reposing 
their little heads upon her lap would hardly dare 
breathe, lest Tom Paine and the devil should happen 
along, and take them to infernal regions. This super- 
stitious fear impregnated the minds of these children 
with such holy horror of me, that time cannot eradicate 
it ; and hence, at this day, the most foul and scanda- 
lous opprobriums that the human mind can conceive, 
are heaped upon my memory, and my grave is regarded 
by many as the gateway to hell. 

Unable to attack successfully my writings, honest (?) 
priests and laymen have attacked, and still do attack 
me personally. Various works are extant, concocted 
by foul-mouthed villains, entitled, " Life of Thomas 
Paine," which are as destitute of truth, as they might 
be expected to be, coming from the authors that claim 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 83 

the honor of their penning. As to the incorrectness of 
these books, I will point out but one falsehood, — and 
that is in relation to my death. It is claimed, and 
believed by the religious world, that I died a most 
excruciating and horrible death. That my screams for 
mercy, and prayers of repentance, were so loud as to 
deafen all other sounds within a " quarter of a mile of 
the ' Hovel ' in which I died." It is said I desired 
a priest to be called in, that I might be prayed for, and 
find favor in the sight of God. That I denounced my 
writings, &c, &c.,to infinity. 

I now take occasion to pronounce these assertions 
and records as ivillfully and maliciously false. I died 
quietly and calmly, with little pain, and no terror. I 
felt supported and sustained in my dying hour by a 
consciousness that my life had not been in vain, and 
that I had lived and acted as an honest man should. I 
was too independent, too reckless of the favor of the 
world, to purchase it by being a hypocrite. What I 
believed, I would speak, and no mortal could prevent 
it. I believed the world to be in error, as I still do. 
I fought those errors, and I still intend to fight them, 
and may be able to throw some truths before the world, 
that will give an impetus to religious inquiry. 

Be not afraid of death, — it is but a pleasant transit 
from things of earth, to a blissful life in celestial 
regions, a throwing off of the mortal coil in which the 
soul is chained, to take up a higher and better life. 
Let the chief efforts of your earthly life be to attain 
intellectual and moral worth, and death will bring no 
terrors, the grave gain no victory. 



84 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

CHAPTER VI. 

SPIRIT. 

I have said that man is possessed of an immortal 
principle, — or principle of intelligence, — called Spirit, 
and it behooves ns in this place to speak more fully 
than we have done of this principle. It is impossible 
for me to describe the composition of the Soul. I will 
simply say that Spirit is a substance, but so sublimated, 
so refined, as to be intangible, imperceptible to the 
human senses. It is the essential and life-giving power 
of all things. Without this spiritual principle, nothing 
can exist ; yet it varies in its conditions, refinement, &c., 
as it has become progressed and developed. All " mat- 
ter contains within itself, in embryo, undeveloped life " 
to infinity, which by various processes is brought forth 
from its latent condition, and developed. Vegetables of 
all classes, as well as animals, possess this principle in 
a greater or less degree. 

We have before seen that man is the highest ultimate 
of matter, and that he came up by regular stages of 
gradation, from the lowest point of animal life, to his 
present perfect form; — hence it follows, that man is 
more purely a spiritual being than any other of the 
animal kingdom. In him the spirit is more fully 
developed, and hence he is not simply a being of 
instinctive powers, but possesses the powers of reason, 
that are the highest qualities of spirit, and which 
enable it to unfold, develope itself, and perform the 
•grand mission for which it was designed. 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 85 

In this place it may be well for me to say, that not- 
withstanding vegetables, and animals below man, 
possess a spiritual principle, they do not exist in the 
Spirit Land as spiritual beings. It has often been 
asked of spirits, whether animals exist here in spirit, 
and the answer has been yes. This error has arisen 
from this fact ; animals do not in reality exist here, — 
but in one way they do, — they exist in representation. 
Whatever a Spirit desires to perceive, is at once per- 
ceived, either being mirrored from its own memory, or 
from the memory of those about it. I may here state 
that the Spirit Land is a perfect representation of each 
of its societies. There are here seven circles or spheres 
of life, which are yet divided into other minor circles or 
grades, to a great number. 

I have before said, and will now r^-say, that the 
inceptive condition of a Spirit in this land is just as its 
condition was when on Earth. Hence, if a person is 
possessed of gross propensities, and has neglected the 
development of the moral and intellectual powers of the 
spirit when on Earth, upon its arrival here, it is placed 
in the first or second circle of existence, just as it is 
extremely or partially gross. If one has developed the 
powers of the Spirit, and paid due attention to its 
unfolding, it is placed in the third, fourth, or fifth 
circle, just in proportion to its progressed state morally 
and intellectually. 1 say placed in these circles, — per- 
haps it will be well to explain. Spirits are free to 
choose their circle or society, when they enter this 
region ; but it is invariably the case, that, in its selec- 
tion, it is governed by its affinity. As spirits in the 
body seek congenial spirits for associates and com. 

8 



86 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

panions, so they do here ; and thus here you may find 
low and undeveloped spirits seeking equally low and 
undeveloped spirits, in order that they may find com- 
panions in their shame, and a degree of consolation in 
their misery, from a kwowledge that they are not alone 
in their degradation. The power of affinity is stronger 
here than on Earth, because each spirit at once per- 
ceives its condition, as well as the condition of those 
about it, and cannot endure the presence and society of 
those who are more perfectly developed. 

In each of these different circles and societies, the 
Spirit Land appears differently. It is a perfect image 
of each society, and does not appear in all its beauty, 
until perfect development of the powers of the spirit. 
Each spirit enjoys its particular delights in idea, and 
not in reality ; though these imaginings are regarded 
by many as, and supposed to be real. Hence, when the 
question in reference to the existence of animals in this 
land is asked, some spirits tell you that they do abide 
here, — others that they do not; and both answer you, 

as they believe, truthfully. 

« 

The Spirit of man attains its form and stature in the 
body, — and his spiritual body or form is a perfect type 
of the physical ; hence you will be able to discern your 
friends and acquaintances here, readily and easily. 

When the infant dies, its little spirit is transported 
hither, and ushered into the presence of its friends, 
who attend upon it with affectionate care, and aid and 
assist in the development of its intellectual and moral 
powers, — though in stature, form and size, it will ever 
be an infant. This infantile spiritual condition arises 
from this fact, that at birth one has not the same 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 87 

amount of spiritual essence, as at middle or mature age ; 
for, as the physical powers are enlarged, developed by 
age, culture, food, &c., so are the spiritual; as the 
physical powers extract nourishment and increase from 
food, so do the spiritual. This to many may seem 
strange ; — but remember that all matter has its due 
proportion of spiritual essence, which essentially exists, 
and increases the size, power and vigor of both the 
spirit of higher and lower orders of animals. The 
spiritual part of food is taken up by the spirit of the 
one using it, and forms part and parcel of that immortal 
power that survives physical dissolution, and falls not 
beneath the dire strokes of Time. Infants, though ever 
infants in stature, may yet progress intellectually; they 
may unfold, deveiope the powers given them, but can 
never attain remarkable intellectual power. 

As the infant in form, stature, features, &c, ever 
remains an infant, so does every other Spirit assume 
and hold forever, form, features, stature, &c, which are 
a perfect type of the physical body. 

The tendency of Spirit, as I have before said, like all 
matter, is progressive. The Spirit, upon assuming an 
independent existence, will, must progress, — it will not, 
cannot retrograde. The powers of the Spirit, in its 
independent state, are numerous and extensive. It has 
none of the physical wants of the body to supply ; its 
wants and powers are purely spiritual. It does not see, 
hear, speak, smell, &c, as does the spirit in the body, 
but knows all things by intuition. Its powers of loco- 
motion are rapid, and its perception almost limitless. 
It is not a fact that a Spirit can fly with the rapidity of 
thought from point to point, though it can, and does 



88 THE PHILOSOPHY OP CREATION. 

perform aerial journeys with great haste. If a Spirit be 
interrogated here, with reference to the condition of 
certain matters in France, it is not always absolutely 
necessary that it should pass thither to answer you, for 
its powers of discernment are so wonderful, as to bring a 
perception of the matter to itself at once, — though not 
always is this the case. Spirits do not perceive material 
things, but simply their spiritual part. Spirits are more 
sublimated and ethereal in their composition than even 
Electricity, and hence pass through physical substances 
with ease. Not being able to perceive material things, 
these do not obstruct its passage. 

Spirits being, upon their entrance here, both morally 
and intellectually as they were at physical death, neces- 
sarily differ upon theological and other subjects ; but 
the higher and more progressed spirits agree. The 
occupations of Spirits are such as are compatible with 
their tastes. Those inclined to intellectual pursuits 
continue them with great avidity and facility ; for the 
perceptive powers of Spirits are so strong, their powers 
of locomotion so great, that hardly any thing is hidden 
from them. Those inclined to scientific investigations, 
continue them here, and so each one follows the bent of 
his inclinations. 

Notwithstanding the faculties possessed by us, we are 
not infinite in power. — We are not Gods, but Spirits — 
progressive beings — learning new truths each hour of 
our existence, and perfecting ourselves as rapidly as 
possible. Persons have many erroneous impressions in 
relation to our powers, and propound to us questions 
that none but God could answer. It is generally sup- 
posed that Spirits must be perfect — that they can never 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 89 

err — and that all Spirits are alike in knowledge and 
power. This is wrong. The future is hidden from us, 
as well as yourselves, hence it is not possible for us to 
impart to you any information in reference thereto, save 
only as we judge from present circumstances. If it were 
otherwise even, it would not be proper for us to unfold 
to you its secrets, for wisely has man been denied the 
power of knowing that which is to be in his earthly 
career : — did he know, life would lose its zest. The 
vail of the future, by mortal or spiritual eyes, cannot be 
penetrated, and the millions of events that are in embryo 
in its bosom must be waited for— they cannot be 
known until foreshadowed or developed. 



CHAPTER VII. 

SPIRIT LAND. 

Each of the inhabited planets has its Spirit Land, or 
place of repose for the soul, when it passes from the 
physical fetters with which it is bound whilst in the 
body. This Land, as we have called it, is situated 
above the atmosphere, and is a perfect type, generally, 
of the planet to which it belongs — though beautified. 
The Spirit Land, like Spirit itself, is purely ethereal, 
and a shadow of the memory and imagination of each 
Spirit. The Spirits of each planet, when advanced to 
the Sixth circle, can commune and visit with each 
other. 

I have before said that the Spirit Land appears dif- 
8* 



90 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

ferently to its different societies, and is only seen in all 
its beauty when the faculties of the soul have become 
developed. The desire of each Spirit is gratified seem- 
ingly, though not really. Hence the miser, whose sole 
delight on Earth was to hoard up and count his dollars, 
in the first circle is gratified with imaginary dollars, 
which he hoards up, clutches, chuckles over, counts, 
with as much delight and avariciousness as when on 
Earth. In idea he is gratified, and this idea seems 
reality, yet is not. Misers congregate in separate socie- 
ties from affinity. The predominating desire governs 
in the selection of societies, though not so in relation 
to circles. It would be a pleasing spectacle to you to 
behold millions of avaricious souls congregated together, 
eagerly bent on counting over and stowing away their 
imaginary treasures ; to see the supicious glances cast 
upon each other, the fear depicted in their countenan- 
ces, the tiptoe tread, as they go to and from the haunt 
of, or hiding place for their treasures ; — in a word, to 
see the prominent traits of their character and disposi- 
tion mirrored forth from their souls, and acted by them. 
But to us who have progressed, it is not a pleasing 
sight, and we use our utmost efforts to root out and 
destroy these desires — which we are able in time to do 
— and instigate the possessors to moral and intellectual 
progression. 

The miser has his Heaven, and were you to ask him 
in relation to the Spirit Land, he would tell you that he 
was enjoying himself finely — making money, &c. His 
appreciation of Heaven does not transcend the dollar. 
But this is only the case in their inceptive condition 
here, for their attention is soon turned otherwise, and 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 91 

they come to lose their pleasures, and seek for higher 
and better occupations. 

A person of a poetical temperament and ideal mind 
has his Heaven, which is a perfect daguerreotype of his 
imagination. Interrogate him in relation thereto, and 
he will tell you that he is surrounded by gentle hills, 
extensive plains, majestic mountains, swelling seas, 
running rivers, gurgling brooks, sparkling fountains, 
leapirig rills, foaming cataracts, wide-spread forests — all 
echoing and reechoing with the songs of birds, and 
peopled to a limitless extent with creatures of fancy. 
To him this is a reality, and yet it is not a reality. 

The Sailor, whose chief delight on Earth was to stem 
the fury of the sea, embarks in his imaginary ship, with 
comrades of the same desire, upon an imaginary sea- 
unfurls the sails, feels the imaginary winds, hears their 
whistle in the rigging, and sees and feels all the attend- 
ing circumstances of a voyage upon the " deep." The 
face of the sky is eagerly watched, each portending cir- 
cumstance prepared for. Clouds arise in the horizon— 
storms burst in fury upon the sea, the waves roll and 
dash, the lightnings flash and play along the sky, the 
deep thunder rolls upon his ear, and he feels all those 
emotions attendant upon the reality. 

The Indian, whose delights were in the forest chase, 
and war — enjoys here his delights, and in his imaginary 
world feels and acts as under a reality. Thus you will 
perceive that the Spirit Land bears different phases, 
proportioned to each one's desires, and is a general type 
of the Earth, or its peculiar planet. These desires, in 
time, are satiated, and progression ensues. 

To give you a correct idea of the Spirit Land, it will 



92 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

be necessary for me to say, that it is divided into circles, 
or tribes, as we will term them, each of which is pos- 
sessed of peculiar characteristics, and from the first, up- 
wards, is a step in the ladder of spiritual progression. 
Of this Land there are seven grand divisions, each of 
which, except the seventh, is yet divided into other 
societies to a great number. The first circle, is the 
circle or tribe with which are connected all Spirits of 
the most gross propensities, and who have been guilty 
of the lowest species of crime which is possible to be 
perpetrated on Earth. 

I have before said that the Spirit of man is the grand 
parchment whereon are written his virtues and his vices, 
and I may here say, that here, in this spiritual home, 
this record stands forth in bold relief, and each good 
and bad deed that one has committed is not screened — 
but read by all. The hypocrite, who on Earth has 
masked his vices and seemed a saint, is here unable to 
conceal them ; — they stand forth in legible and intelli- 
gible characters, and it is the consciousness of this that 
attracts Spirits to those of their kind, as I have before 
.said. 

The First circle is the lowest and most inharmonious 
circle of spiritual existence. It is the theatre of inhar- 
mony, such as you might imagine to exist on Earth, 
should there be congregated in a mass all the vicious 
elements of society ; for it is the retreat of those who 
have neglected the development of those faculties of the 
soul, whose development alone elevates man above the 
brutes. The murderer, the pirate, highwayman, thief, 
hypocrite, liar, libertine, drunkard, incendiary, slander- 
er, miser, &c, &c., is there — of all nations and tongues, 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 93 

congregated in ungainly societies, and pursuing their 
various occupations with a double vigor, pushed on by 
the pangs of conscience, that lead them to hide their 
vices by still deeper indulgence in them. 

I have before said that this circle is divided into so- 
cieties, and that, in the formation and selection of these 
societies, the predominating desire governs ; hence those, 
who on Earth have delighted in the shedding of human 
blood, assemble en masse, and pursue their murderous 
career with vigor. They use imaginary weapons, and 
commit imaginary murders. They are continually in 
turmoil and strife. Like the Ishmaelite, each one's hand 
is turned against the other's. Imagine to yourself, on 
Earth, two persons of gross propensities engaged in a 
quarrel ; imagine the quarrel to have attained that 
point when a dagger is drawn by one of the parties. 
Behold the person upon whom it is drawn fleeing from 
his murderous foe, who, with drawn dagger, tightly 
clenched, is on the chase, uttering unearthly curses and 
cries for vengeance. Imagine the pursuer to near the 
pursued, raise his dagger, and with a single stroke draw 
his heart's blood. See the guilty man, when the awful 
deed is done, stricken with fear and remorse, eagerly 
seeking to screen the body from the public eye, and blot 
out all traces of the deed — and you have in miniature 
the condition of this society of the first circle. Millions 
of souls, upon whom are deep stains of blood, in one 
congregated brotherhood of crime, are there engaged in 
a series of turmoil and inhuman deeds. 

In the same circle, and in an equally low society, 
may be seen the pirate — who embarks on the voyage of 
murderous theft, and commits depredations upon his 



9*1 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

" fellow-voyagers on the deep," akin to those it was his 
delight to commit when on earth. The same phases of 
life that attended him on Earth, attend him here. His 
imaginary cannon bellow forth their thunder, and send 
forth their murderous balls, carrying destruction and 
desolation to the imaginary craft that his vengeance is 
being wreaked upon. The vessels are thrown alongside, 
and, hand to hand, with desperate fury, he fights for his 
prize ; — many a victim seems to fail beneath his strokes, 
and with a yell of satisfaction, and maniac brutality, he 
surveys the bloody deck, and clutches his dearly-bought 
treasures. To him all seems a reality; but he has 
fought but empty air, and gained an unreal prize. 

The highwayman, who on earth delighted in deeds of 
daring and robbery, here follows his favorite pursuits, 
and re-enjoys all the pleasures attendant upon such a 
life on earth. In this society are all thieves. The de- 
bauchee is there, and, in a bacchanalian society, imagi- 
narily satisfies his appetites, and feels all those exhilar- 
ating thrills — and relapses — that were his lot on earth. 
This society is the most beastly in this circle, for in it 
are committed all species of crime, and are exhibited all 
conditions of debasement. The bacchanalian song 
echoes and re-echoes through their ranks, until 
the vault of this part of Heaven rings with one un- 
ceasing, discordant shout. Libertines and harlots are 
there, and, burning with remose, would fain enjoy the 
delights of passion. Oh ! it is an awful spectacle, to 
behold human souls writhing in the agonies that do 
this society of the first circle ! — but we are cheered by 
the glorious thought that reformatory influences will 
operate upon its members, and in time relieve their de- 



THE PHILOSOPHY OP CREATION. 95 

gradation and misery. The discordant elements of 
which this circle is composed at times mingle, and 
oh ! it is sad to see the debasement of which the human 
soul is susceptible, as it is portrayed in these minglings ; 
and were you to see the misery that is there, you would 
think that it was Hell enough for any one. 

This circle is only occupied by those of the lowest 
development, and there, through long ages of mental 
torment, are congregated miserable and unhappy souls, 
who, in time, will change their lives, in accordance with 
the unceasing and effectual law of progression, and pass 
to higher circles. Good Spirits, actuated by philan- 
thropic and elevated motives, are continually laboring 
with, to reform and elevate them ; and it is a joyful 
victory for us when we induce one soul after another to 
yield to moral influences, cast aside its miserable fetters, 
that have bound it to crime, and progress. It should 
be the aim of every man on Earth to so live, as to avoid 
this circle ; for its miseries are such as cannot be de- 
scribed, but only known when felt and seen. 

This idea of the First Circle of the Spirit Land may 
to some seem strange — but nevertheless, it is its true 
condition ; and of this you will be satisfied, when you 
remember that man is a progressive being, and can only 
attain a high state of existence, as he develops and un- 
folds his spiritual principle. 

The Second Circle is composed of Spirits who are 
more advanced than those of the first circle, though in 
this circle even, there is not to be found that moral and 
intellectual state of development that one would expect. 
This is the abiding place of those whose lives were not 
particularly vicious, but who are in an undeveloped 



96 THE PHILOSOPHY OP CREATION. 

condition, — those who have neglected their spiritual 
development for physical pleasure and profit. In a 
word, it is the home of ignorant Spirits. There are 
also to he found in this circle the Spirits of many who 
have progressed thither from the First Circle, In this 
circle are by far the greatest number of Spirits : for it 
is a fact, that the number of ignorant Spirits, launched 
into eternity annually, exceeds the number of developed 
Spirits in a ratio of about 1,000 to 1. 

In this circle are the people of all nations and 
tongues. The Aborigines and various other people 
who have remained in an unprogressed intellectual and 
moral state. 

This circle is divided into societies. In one group 
may be seen mechanics engaged in their favorite occu- 
pations; in another, the farmer, who is tilling his 
imaginary farm, and engaged in agricultural pursuits 
generally. And thus, all through this circle, may be 
found societies made up by affinity of desires, — each 
one pursuing his or her favorite occupation. This circle 
is surrounded with a more moral atmosphere than the 
first, and exhibits a more progressed condition. Pro- 
gression is more rapidly secured by its inmates, as good 
spirits find less difficulty in approaching it. 

The Second Circle is much more harmonious than 
the First, though, from the ignorance of its inmates, 
perfect harmony could by no possibility exist. Over 
this circle, missionary Spirits, from the Fifth and Sixth 
circles, have strong care, and labor assiduously to 
unfold the powers of the inmates. The attention of 
each, by these missionaries, is gradually turned toward 
intellectual and moral pursuits, and in course of time 



THE PHILOSOPHY OP CREATION. 97 

they become progressed so far as to exchange their 
residence for the Third circle, — which is the abiding 
place of Spirits who are more highly developed than 
those of the Second. 

The Third Circle is occupied by Spirits well-meaning 
and disposed, but who have neglected to unfold the 
intellectual powers of the soul, — who have no, or at 
most, but a partial acquaintance with Nature and her 
Laws, so that they are unfitted to live in harmony 
therewith. In this circle there is a moral beautv dis- 
played, that is seen in none of the lower circles, and 
which places it far, very far in advance of them. 
Therein are many Spirits of considerable Literary 
talents, and scientific research, who abide in groups, 
according to their affinities of taste. 

The occupation of the members of this circle is purely 
progressive ; they are engaged in developing and unfold- 
ing their powers by discipline and research. To this 
circle are the Spirits of Infants and undeveloped chil- 
dren consigned, who are watched over, attended and 
educated with the utmost care and attention. The 
principle of Love is more fully developed in this circle 
than any other, and its inmates exhibit remarkable 
benevolence and kindness in their demeanor, one 
towards another. After a sufficient study of Nature, 
and an attainment of the requisite Wisdom, the inmates 
of this circle progress to the Fourth circle, where the 
beauties of the Spirit Land begin to appear with force 
and perspicuity ; — for this circle, besides being sur- 
rounded with an exceedingly moral atmosphere, is 
occupied by wise Spirits, as Love and Wisdom are the 
prevailing principles in development. Spirits of this 
circle are highly progressed, — it being the abiding place 
of many Scientific, Literary and Educated persons. This 



98 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

circle is also divided into societies, made up as the 
preceding are. 

The grand effort and aim of the Spirits of this circle 
is to attain Truth, which, owing to their superior 
wisdom and moral condition, they are able to do with 
much greater facility than are the members of the 
Third. The less progressed are assisted by those more 
developed, and thus, each mutually assisting the other, 
they are all hastening to the point when they can be 
admitted into the Fifth circle, which is the highest 
circle possible to be reached by the new-born Spirit 
from the body. 

This circle is composed of Spirits who have stren- 
uously labored while on Earth to develope and unfold 
the full powers of the Soul, and by those who have 
come up, thither from the lower circles. Herein are 
exhibited the powers of the Spirit when unfolded by 
the discipline of thought and research. Love, Wis- 
dom and Truth beam forth from the countenances of 
each, and a degree of power and harmony exists, that 
the human mind is not able to appreciate. The num- 
ber of societies is less than in any lower circle, and 
there is a more general exchange of thought and sym- 
pathy than is possible to exist in any of the lower 
circles, or on Earth. 

This circle is composed of moral and wise Spirits, 
whose chief study is Nature, and whose chief aim is to 
secure Harmony and fraternal union. Intellectual and 
moral pursuits are prosecuted with vigor and success. 
Various sciences are studied and perfected, with a view 
to unfold the spiritual powers, and prepare for that 
grand Harmonial State, between which and their own 
circle, there is but an intermediate step. 

The members of this circle make many visits to 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 99 

Earth, and glean all the truths possible from the minds 
of the most eminent scholars thereon. But in this way 
but little knowledge, comparatively, is gained ; — from 
their powers of perception, they find more advantage in 
a study of Nature. It requires but a short space of 
time, comparatively, with assiduous attention and appli- 
cation, to prepare for and be ushered into the Sixth 
circle, which is the seat of a moral beauty, intellectual 
grandeur and harmony, that the human faculties cannot 
conceive or comprehend. Almost perfect harmony 
exists throughout this circle, and Love, Wisdom and 
Truth seem to be stamped upon all. There is a 
mingling of thought and sympathy, between the socie- 
ties of this circle, that is not to be found in the lower 
circles ; there is a sort of mutual affinity and desire to 
assist each other in progressive advancement, that is 
ultimately to be consummated in the Seventh circle. 

Between the members of this circle and the inhabit- 
ants of the Spirit Land of Jupiter, and all the planets 
that have attained the same point of progression, there 
are mutual exchanges of thoughts, and visits, that are 
enjoyed by none of the occupants of the lower circles. 
These visits and exchanges are frequent, profitable and 
necessary, as they serve to prepare each other for that 
point when the Spirits of all planets are to be united in 
one grand circle of harmonious union. 

The number of Spirits in the Sixth circle is much 
less than in any other circle. This is a kind of proba- 
tionary state for the Spirit. Its chief designs and 
efforts are to attain a perfect knowledge of all truth, 
within the scope of its conditional powers, — for, with- 
out this desire, there would, nor can be harmony of 
opinion and action. The faculties possessed by the 
members of this circle to attain knowledge and truth 

LofC. 



100 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

are extensive, and comparatively unlimited; and these 
faculties are employed to great advantage. All the 
noblest attributes of the soul are developed, and when 
finally developed, the possessor can pass from this 
circle to the Third Sphere, or Seventh Circle. 

The Seventh Circle is not connected solely with the 
Spirit Land of our particular planet, but is, as it were, 
a new world, wherein are congregated the harmonized 
souls of all planets and nations. The beauty of this 
circle I cannot tell you from experience, as it has not 
yet been my privilege to visit it. The inhabitants of 
that Sphere never pay you visits, — nor ourselves, but 
commune with us by influx ; and thus have I gained a 
partial knowledge of the blissful retreat, whither the 
fully progressed soul ultimately goes. 

Thousands of years are spent by us in fitting our- 
selves for that Sphere, — and the process, by which we 
pass thither, is almost equivalent to another dissolution. 
There are in this Sixth circle Spirits who have been 
here engaged in the grand work of development ibr 
many centuries, and who have not yet sufficiently 
unfolded the harmonial powers of the soul, to be fitted 
for that Sphere where all is harmony and peace, — 
where the beauty of the Divine mind is seen in all its 
splendor, and the soul of man transformed into an 
almost perfect existence. 

This circle, as it is commonly denominated, is more 
properly a Sphere. It has no connection with the 
individual Heavens, but is a grand Sphere, where are 
united all developed Spirits of all Worlds. 

The occupations of the Spirits in this Sphere are such 
as are compatible with their natural desires, in the pur- 
suit of which each mutually assists the other. Therein 
is to be found a combination of Love, Wisdom and 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 101 

Truth, such as is beyond the powers of your minds to 
conceive. 

In speaking of the Seventh circle, I have said that it 
is the home of those Spirits who have attained perfect 
development, — which if, in the common signification of 
the word, was the case, the progression of the soul is 
consummated, and would cease ; — but I have used the 
words perfect and fully ; comparatively : I would have 
them signify such a state of progression as to your 
minds would appear perfect, but which, nevertheless is 
not perfect ; but such a state of moral and mental pro- 
gression, that the human mind could conceive no further 
progression possible. Spirits are progressive, and their 
progression is infinite, unceasing, eternal ; their object 
is to attain perfect development, yet perfection cannot 
be attained by them. They aim at an attainment of 
the knowledge of all truth, but nevertheless can never 
attain this knowledge ; for should they do so, or were 
they able to do so, they would cease to be finite, and 
would become infinite beings, — and hence Deities in 
knowledge and power. 

The Seventh circle, or Third Sphere, is a grand Har- 
monial sphere, and, unlike the lower state of Spirits, is 
not divided into societies, but is one grand society, the 
efforts of whose members are to develope their own, and 
mutually assist each other in the development of spiritual 
powers. There is about this sphere a moral and intel- 
lectual beauty that is dazzling to behold, and impossible 
to describe or conceive, until seen and known. 

I have said in a preceding page, that the tendency of 
Spirit is progressive, and that it cannot by any possi- 
bility retrograde. By this I mean that eternal retro- 
gression is impossible ; but that, although in its incep- 
tive stages of existence it may (in the first circle) 
9* 



102 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

retrograde, this retrocession will, and must end in pro- 
gression. I will here take occasion to say that, save 
in the first circle, there is no retrogression, — but pro- 
gression stamps the efforts, and is the motto of all 
Spirits. 

The account which I have given of the Spirit Land 
differs, in very many of its points, very materially from 
the accounts given you by various spiritual clairvoyants, 
— as Swedenborg, Davis, the clairvoyants employed by 
Cahagnet, &c.,— which conflicts will appear to you as 
necessary consequences of propositions before laid down 
by me ; that the Spirit Land is a perfect type of each 
spirit's desires and powers, and is only seen in its true 
state, when the spirit has attained sufficient progres- 
sion to enter the Sixth circle of existence. That the 
various circles are made up by affinity of desires, and 
that, by no possibility, can the Spirit in the body go 
beyond the Fifth circle of development. 

Now you will at once perceive that a Clairvoyant, 
being in a spiritual ecstasy, would naturally gravitate 
to that circle for which he had an affinity, and would 
perceive such a spiritual state as was compatible with 
his own prejudices, powers, &c. Hence Swedenborg, 
being educated to, and prejudiced in favor of, a belief in 
the " Holy writ " (so called), would perceive in the 
Spirit Land such a state or condition of life, as was com- 
patible with those prejudices, because his prejudices 
would exist in representation before him. Hence he, 
believing in the existence of " hell torments for the 
wicked, in a Lake that burnetii with fire and brim- 
stone," tells you that he saw in the Spirit Land not 
solely a Hell, but Hells, burning as aforesaid, compati- 
ble with his views. 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 103 

No two Spiritual Clairvoyants have ever yet given you 
like accounts of the Spiritual condition ; and yet this 
difference of accounts does not militate against the 
genuineness of their powers, but simply illustrates the 
truth of what I have said in relation to the Spirit Land's 
being a perfect type of each spirit's desires, powers, &c., 
— these desires and prejudices being before them in 
" Representation." Davis was less prejudiced than 
Swedenborg, as his mind had not been subjected to the 
discipline of the strait-jacket of sectarianism, or a great 
degree of any species of education, — hence his powers 
were in a more natural or favorable condition to per- 
ceive, more nearly than Swedenborg, the spiritual state. 
Yet if you compare the account of the Spirit Land, 
given by him, with his phrenological developments, and 
state of education at the time, you will find that it is 
such an account as would naturally be expected from 
him, in accordance with the statement before made, 
that " each Spirit perceives such a condition as is com- 
patible with his desires, powers, education, &c. Mr. 
Davis, as nearly as was possible for him, gave what he 
saw in the spiritual plane, but yet did not give you a 
correct account. Not, however, were these errors the 
result of any willful or intentional purpose to inculcate 
error, but for the reasons before stated; — and here 
allow me to say, that as a man, Mr. Davis has not his 
equal on your globe. He is actuated by the most pure 
intentions, and is a highly advanced Spirit. His mo- 
tives are purely philanthropic, and there does not exist 
within him, in development, a vicious principle. Yet 
Mr. D's account of the Spirit Land, you will perceive 
to be widely different from Swedenborg's. 

Mr. Cahagnet, of France, through clairvoyants em- 



104 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

ployed by him, lias issued to the world opinions in 
reference to this sphere, which widely differ from either 
of the preceding, and from the same cause. The 
clairvoyants employed by him were but slightly 
susceptible of spiritual ecstasies, and withal were in an 
imperfect state of development in every respect, and not 
very well calculated to give the world much light upon 
either spiritual or human matters. By these clairvoy- 
ants many exceedingly imperfect accounts were given, 
and such as are, in fact, in conflict with themselves. 

The idea is there advanced, that the apparel of each 
Spirit, in the body, is impregnated with spiritual 
emanations that enable it to exist here; hence that 
each spirit is able to appear in any of its " Bodily " 
apparel that it pleases, or in such apparel as it wore on 
Earth. Now this, in one respect, is incorrect. The 
clothes of an individual are not able to obtain an exist- 
ence here, from any spiritual emanations with which 
they become impregnated ; but Spirits may appear to 
be dressed in their peculiar Earthly apparel, if they 
desire so to do, or if other spirits desire them so to do, 
— but not because their clothes spiritually exist, though 
they do exist in representation, or are mirrored from the 
memory, at the desire of the Spirit. 

I have given you but a general account of the 
spiritual condition. It would be impossible for me to 
enter into minute details, in one, or twenty volumes ; 
but, from the facts given, you will draw as perfect an 
idea thereof, as you would from a more minute account. 
The account given is correct, and may be relied on. It 
has passed through no human brain, nor been subjected 
to any human influences. The medium, through whom 
I write, is purely for me mechanical, and can, by no 
possibility, influence the language or ideas of the 



THE PHILOSOPHY OP CREATION. 105 

volume. From my observation and study, together 
with actual experience, I write, and what I have written 
is correct in toto. 

Spirits retain their affections for their kindred and 
Earthly friends, and pay them many visits to learn their 
condition. They exercise over them a watchful care, 
and oft-times influence their minds, — and in more ways 
than one have an influence on their lives and fortunes. 
You are indebted to them for very many suggestions 
and thoughts, that come to you, you know not how. 
Mothers, with a purer and holier affection than mortals 
possess, hover near and watch their children in the 
body, oft-times preserving them from error and danger 
by operating upon their minds. Could you see the 
angel friends that are often hovering about you, at day 
and even-time, with noiseless tread, watching your daily 
avocations and your slumbers, your hearts would rejoice 
to think that Heaven and Earth were so near together. 

Each Spirit in the body has his or her guardian or 
guardians, who are oftentimes near them, influencing 
their actions, and breathing quiet and hope into their 
minds. These guardians choose the person over whom 
to keep sentry, by their affinity. They choose a conge- 
nial spirit, sometimes of kindred, sometimes not. Spirits 
are drawn to, or repelled from individuals on the Earth, 
just as they have affinities, or dislikes for those persons. 
Guardians are always from that circle, to which the 
individual, over whom they have superintendence, would 
go at death. 

Friends meet and recognize each other here, and are 
much more happy in each others presence and em- 
braces, than when on Earth. It is really pleasant to 
behold mothers meeting their children, from whom 
they have been separated by long years, and again fold- 



106 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

ing them to their bosoms with maternal regard ; to see 
brothers meeting sisters and brothers ; husbands meet- 
ing wives, &c., &c., with a consciousness that they are 
no more to be severed by the hand of Death. 

Spirits have their companions here. There is here 
no .marrying or giving in marriage by mere legal forms, 
or words of mouth; but each male spirit chooses a 
companion from the female spirits, who is congenial ; 
or rather, upon the entrance of a spirit of either sex 
into the Spirit World, if the spirit's spiritual wife or 
husband is there, by the laws of affinity they come 
together, and recognize each other as eternal partners. 
There are here very many spirits whose partners or 
companions are still in the flesh, and who are awaiting 
their arrival here for the consummation of that natural 
and inseparable union, spiritual marriage. There are 
comparatively few marriages consummated on Earth that 
are eternal. Very few are made up from affinity of 
desires, tastes, &c., but in accordance with base and 
sordid motives, that make the hymeneal altar a funeral 
pile, whereon are consumed and destroyed all peace 
and happiness on Earth. Every person has his or her 
congenial spirit somewhere on the Earth, and those 
spirits, though they may not come together on Earth, 
are sure to be united here. If more care was exercised 
on Earth, in reference to the marriage relations, a much 
more moral, as well as higher mental condition would 
exist. 

From the extreme affection which Spirits entertain 
for their brethren on Earth, and the interest which they 
take in their welfare, they have been instigated, at vari- 
ous periods of the world's existence, to take advantage 
of the Laws of Nature, and visit and commune with 
them, with a view to point to them the true aims of life, 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 107 

and relieve the error in which they were involved, — 
which is a moral incubus on the soul, weighing down 
and retarding its proper development. These visits 
w r ere, at an earlier period of human life, quite frequent 
and effective ; but as mankind lost their appreciation of 
the ends of life, and came to bow more devoutly at the 
shrine of Mammon than Morality or Spiritual develop- 
ment, they ceased to regard these visits, and hence they 
became entirely ineffectual, and for a time ceased. Still 
at various periods these visits have been continued, but 
Spirits have ever found difficulty in informing people of 
the objects of their visits,, as well as the means to make 
their demonstrations effectual. Even Spirits themselves 
did not fully understand the principles or laws by 
which they could communicate ; and it was not until 
the combined wisdom of many Spirits in the Sixth 
circle succeeded in ferreting out and applying those 
laws, that we were able to communicate with you to 
advantage. But recently a channel of intercourse has 
been opened, that will continue to be perfected, until 
mankind will be obliged to know that Spirits do come 
to Earth, and that they can and do possess sufficient 
knowledge to instruct their friends in the flesh, as to 
the aims of life and their future condition. That period 
is nearing, and when at length it arrives, mankind will 
enjoy a new phase in life, and live and act more in 
reference to their spiritual development, than for the 
gratification of mere physical desires. Then will a new 
Era truly dawn upon the world, and then too will the 
face of the Universe wear a more harmonial aspect. 

Heretofore when Spirits have attempted to open a 
communication with Earth, their demonstrations have 
been either disregarded entirely, or mistaken for the 
influences of a demonish power. But in the nineteenth 



108 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

century, the arts and sciences have attained so great 
extension and progression, and the mind is liberalized 
and enlightened to such an extent, that we may safely 
come to you without danger of subjecting our mediums 
to death at the stake or in the " mill-pond," as they 
would have been, and in fact were in earlier periods of 
the world's existence. Superstition, the twin sister of 
ignorance, has nearly vanished from the mind, and the 
Devil ceased to be regarded as powerful as heretofore, — 
though even at this time, there are those so closely 
chained to ancient superstitions and customs, as to 
denounce our efforts as the production of his Satanic 
Majesty. If they would take the trouble to reflect a 
moment upon the result of such ideas, they would not 
advance them. If they allege these demonstrations to 
the Devil, they must certainly give him the power of 
Omnipresence, for at the same moment communications 
are being received through our agency in all parts of 
the world. Now if they make him omnipresent, he 
certainly is equal to God in power, because he has his 
attributes; and certainly if he writes all the communi- 
cations given from this source, he must be omniscient. 
But allow me say, that the Devil, who has so long had 
dominance over a large class of deluded souls, is a crea- 
ture of fancy, and exists solely in the human bosom, 
which is the seat of the only Hell, or Hells, that will 
ever torment mankind. 

It may be desirable that I should explain the method 
by which we communicate with men ; therefore I will 
now do so. 

It is a fact, that at this day has come to be generally 
acknowledged, that there are peculiar physical and 
mental constitutions, who can be subjected, while in the 
body, to the will and power of another of a different, 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 109 

yet peculiar physical and mental constitution. It is 
well known too, that this influence is produced by 
the force of magnetic currents, thrown from the body 
of the operator to the body of the subject. These 
currents are evolved and sent off from the body of 
the operator to the body of the subject, by the force 
of the action of the mind. The operator is obliged to 
strain his will to the utmost tension, or, in other words, 
to give a treble action to the brain, which is the grand 
center of the nervous system. This nervous action gen- 
erates magnetism, and this magnetism, being thus gen- 
erated in superabundance, is sent off by the force of the 
will of the operator, passes to the body of the subject, 
and destroys for the time, or rather paralyzes the will 
of the subject, and hence makes him subject to the will 
of the operator. 

To explain to you the modus operandi of this, I need 
but to say, that the nerves of the body are electricals, 
and like glass, &c, are excitors of electricity, as well as 
generators of magnetism. The common action of the 
nerves, or rather, their natural condition, simply en- 
ables them to evolve a sufficient or natural quantity of 
these elements ; — but any unnatural action of the 
nerves, or rather, an extra action, produces a super- 
abundance of them. Hence the reason why people 
under excitement can speak with greater force, or 
accomplish their peculiar tasks with greater ease, than 
when in the natural or unexcited state. The nerves 
increase their action, and generate an extra quantity of 
electricity and magnetism, which pass to the brain, 
increase its action, and hence give the possessor extra 
mental as well as physical power. 

It is well known that all are not subject to this mes- 
meric or magnetic action of mind upon mina, and that 
10 



110 THE PHILOSOPHY OP CREATION. 

a peculiar physical state or condition must be possessed 
by the subject, — and the most essential quality requi- 
site is nervousness ; for the nerves of the subject must 
be slightly paralyzed, in order for the operator to gain 
control over the subject ; or in other words, they must 
be made so passive, as not to evolve a common quantity 
of electricity and magnetism for the brain, which state 
enables the operator to make up the deficiency from his 
superabundance; and thus feeding the brain of the 
subject with its life-giving elements from his own 
system, he gains control, for the time, over the subject's 
brain. The subject must be negative, and the operator 
positive, or the subject must be passive. It may be 
necessary that I should explain somewhat. 

The action of those forces in the human body which 
generate Electricity, also generate Magnetism, and, as 
the positive power or magnetism of the subject's body 
must be exhausted before magnetic control can be 
gained over him, it is necessary that the action of these 
forces, or of the nerves, should be allayed, for if not, the 
magnetism of the subject's body could not be exhausted. 

I will now explain iv hy nervous people are required 
for magnetic subjects. It is a fact well known to all, 
that a person of an extreme nervous temperament is 
possessed of but little firmness, but is easily influenced 
by others ; in other words, is more passive. This pas- 
siveness is induced by the weakness of the nerves, and 
hence enables the operator, by his will, to allay the 
action of the nerves, and thus infuse his own magnetism 
into the subject's body. Having gone thus far in 
explanation of the common phenomena of mesmerism, 
I will proceed to show you how mind out of the body 
can act upon mind in the body. 

It was essential that I should illustrate the matter by 



THE PHILOSOPHY OP CREATION. Ill 

phenomena with which you were acquainted, in order 
that you might the more readily understand the expla- 
nation, which I shall now give, of the manner in which 
we communicate with you; for it is a fact, that all 
acquainted with our demonstrations must be aware of, 
that mesmerism and spiritual influences are closely 
allied in their production. 

First, in explanation of the vibrations produced by 
us, I will say, that for media we must have individuals 
of a nervous temperament, and such as are possessed of 
all the requisites of a mesmeric subject. The media 
must be passive. The delicate organization of Spirits 
enables them to induce a delicate and refined species of 
electricity, or rather, aromal electricity, which, by the 
force of spiritual volition, they are able to throw into 
the system of the medium, — which immediately induces 
an extra nervous action, and hence generates extra 
quantities of animal electricity, which, blending with 
aromal electricity, is, by the force of our volition, 
thrown off from the body of the medium, to any sub- 
stance that we desire, and produces the vibrations. 

Aromal electricity, or electricity of our induction, is 
so refined, that, unless it were mingled with animal 
electricity, or electricity of a more gross character, it 
would not produce sounds ; hence the necessity of a 
medium, and also the necessity of a medium of a pe- 
culiar temperament. 

All " rapping " media will attest to the fact, that, 
while the sounds are being produced, they are in an 
unnatural^ or excited nervous state. This is evident to 
any observer, from the fact of the perspiration that is 
frequently created in the medium, and also from the 
inflamed state that the hands and face often present. 

It must be remembered that mesmerism is produced 



112 THE PHILOSOPHY OP CREATION. 

by a reduction or exhaustion of the magnetism of the 
subject's body. But in our communications with you, 
— save by speaking, — we simply use the electricity of 
the body, and hence leave the medium in full possession 
of all his powers. The positive power is not exhausted. 

Having thus briefly explained the manner in which 
we produce the sounds, I will now proceed to explain 
to you the phenomenon of writing. Writing media are 
of two classes, impressible and mechanical. In indi- 
viduals of a peculiar temperament, we are able to 
induce a " psychological " state of mind, and hence 
render their brain a channel for our thoughts and ideas. 
But it is seldom that we are able to find a medium so 
passive, as to receive communications from us, in this 
manner, unalloyed by his own thoughts ; for those who 
are not passive enough to be made machines for us to 
use in writing, are not sufficiently passive to receive 
communications from us unadulterated. Media of this 
class, and speaking media are the most unreliable media 
we have, — and it seldom happens that we find talking 
media who are perfectly reliable. A large portion of 
the contradictory communications received may be 
alleged to this class of media rather than to the Spirits. 
Our best and most reliable media are writing media, 
who are for us machines, and those through whom we 
produce the vibrations. 

We do not seize the hand of the mechanical medium 
externally, to write, but, by the force of aromal elec- 
tricity, thrown into the system of the medium, and 
concentrated in ( the arm, we for the time paralyze or 
destroy the nervous power of the medium's arm, and 
make it subservient to our will. It is well known to 
all, that animal electricity, or nervous fluid, sent from 
the brain by the force of tvill, occasions a contraction of 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 113 

the muscular fibres, or the moving of the arm at 
pleasure. * Now, if the forces of these electrical currents 
from the brain can, for a time, be suspended, or checked 
in any part of the body, the possessor has no longer 
power over that portion of the body. 

This law has been taken advantage of by us in this 
way. Aromal electricity is thrown into the system of 
the medium, and concentrated in the arm in quantities 
sufficiently large, and in currents sufficiently rapid, as 
to check the power of the animal electricity 01 the 
brain. Hence, so long as these currents are continued 
by us, accompanied by passiveness in the medium, we 
are able to use the arm of the medium, and leave his 
mind as free to think as ever. 

In reference to speaking media, I will simply say 
that that branch of our phenomena is produced in the 
same manner as mesmerism is produced by you. We 
take possession of the subject's natural organs, by force 
of electrical currents that destroy his will, and render 
him subservient to our volition. 

In regard to the " tippings," I will say, that they are 
produced on very much the same principle as is the 
writing. We contract the muscles of the medium's 
hand, and thus press upon the table, and produce, by 
force of large currents of animal and aromal electricity 
combined, the removal of objects that human strength 
could not, unaided, remove. 

Spirits often move ponderable objects, occasion chairs 
to walk across the room, tables to stand suspended in 
mid-air, pianos to send forth their melody, untouched 
by human hands. 

Chairs, tables, and other ponderable objects are 
moved by us in this manner. We immediately infil- 
trate the objects, we wish to move, with electricity from 
10* 



114 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

the body of the medium, which electricity is induced by 
currents passed into the body of the medium by our 
volition. As soon as the objects become fully charged 
by these currents, we are able, by other currents from 
the body of the medium, to impel the objects as we 
please, to push them upon the floor, hold them sus- 
pended in the air, &c. 

There are but few media through whom we are able 
to produce demonstrations of 'this class, as it requires a 
very powerful nervous system, capable of the generation 
of large quantities of electricity. There are fewer media 
of this class than of any other. Demonstrations of this 
character are intended for the satisfaction of those who 
measure every thing by physical, rather than mental 
guages. 

Upon the same principle that we move ponderable 
objects, we play upon pianos, &c. We pass currents 
from the body of the medium to the different keys, as 
we desire, which currents move the keys, &c. 

Odic lights are produced by the concentration of 
electrical currents from the body of the medium, which, 
being reduced to a focus, emit light. 

Spirits can at times appear to you bodily ; but those 
visits are " few and far between," as a peculiar elec- 
trical state of the medium, as well as of the atmosphere, 
is required. 

The same conditions of atmosphere, &c, that are 
required for us to exhibit ourselves bodily to you, are 
required for writing unaided by the hand of a medium. 
For, by a concentration of electrical currents, we are 
able sometimes to use the pen or pencil when none are 
present ; — but this seldom happens. Infiltrating the 
pen or pencil with electricity, we grasp it with our 
spiritual hand and write. 



THE PHILOSOPHY OP CREATION. 115 

Thus briefly have I pointed out to you the manner in 
which, as well as the laws by which we communicate 
with you, and it may be well for me to answer a ques- 
tion, that short-sighted people often ask, " What is the 
object in these spiritual visits and communications % " 
In the first place allow me to state a/act. At this very 
moment, two-thirds of the civilized portion of the world 
are atheistical, disbelieving not only the truths of the 
Bible, but also the existence of God, — consequently the 
soul's immortality. People may say this cannot be, for 
by far the larger portion of mankind are members of 
churches, or professed believers in God and religion. 
Does that militate against the truth of the proposition 1 
Not at all. Does it follow, because a man is a member 
of a church, or a professed believer in God, &c, that he 
is in reality a believer therein'? Not by any means. By 
what are you to determine a man's sincerity in any 
thing % I know it has been said in Holy writ, that 
" out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speak- 
eth," but allow me to say, that if men were not Hypo- 
crites^ this might be true ; but, as the state of society is 
to-day, it is not true, for " out of the abundance of the 
heart the man acteth" and his words are nothing, when 
his words and actions do not correspond. 

Now what is the fact in relation to the actions of 
church members and professed Christians'? Your own ob- 
servation will teach you, as mine has taught me, that not 
one out of a thousand of either your priests, laymen or 
professors, act in accordance with their teachings or 
professions. Now what is the inference from this \ Is 
not the conclusion inevitable, that they are Hypocrites % 
Most assuredly it is. Your Priests go into their pulpits 
and tell you that you must throw aside all worldly 
thoughts, and pleasures, and worship God. That 



116 THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 

unless you do do so, you cannot merit or receive his 
pleasure, or salvation. Now watch that Priest in his 
daily walks and avocations, and you will find that, in 
nine hundred and ninety-nine cases out of a thousand, 
he is just as avaricious, just as grasping, just as eager 
to obtain the good end of a trade, just as immoral as a 
mere man of the world. Such too is the case with lay- 
men and professors. They draw on a sanctimonious 
face for the Sabbath, go to church and appear mighty 
pious, but upon a week-day they are nothing more than 
men of the world, — their sanctimony is donned for the 
occasion. 

How often do your priests have calls from God, to 
remove their fields of labor, when a little larger salary 
has been offered them ! How often do you find a priest 
to have a call from God, that he obeys, when the salary 
offered is smaller than the one received 1 Never. The 
truth is, your priests preach, and your laymen listen, 
because of the workings of that Interest of which I 
have before spoken. Mankind are hypocritical; not 
one of a thousand who are professed Christian believers, 
&c, are in reality so. Hence the idea that many pro- 
fess to be believers in God, the immortality of the soul, 
&c., does not at all militate against the truth of the 
preceding propositions. 

To relieve this atheism, and show men that there is 
in reality a God and a spiritual life for the soul, is then 
one object for which we visit you. And is there no 
virtue in that % Is there no benefit to be derived from a 
knowledge of the fact of the immortality of the soul 1 
But we have still another object in view, and that is to 
show men what is their future condition, and thus 
enable them to live in reference thereto. Is there no 
benefit to be derived from that? If not, then most 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION. 117 

surely am I incapable of judging of benefits. "We also 
have another object, and that is to relieve the world of 
the error under which it labors, and under which it has 
for a long period of time labored. The truth is, that 
men do not, and never have lived with reference to their 
spiritual life, but have sunk all other objects in physical 
pleasures and gratifications, and hence have detracted 
from the happiness which they would experience in the 
Spirit Land. 

The religion of the world has ever taught, that one 
could live as he or she pleased, and that if, a few 
moments before death, they would repent, they would be 
just as happy, just as easily saved from misery, as though 
they should lead moral and upright lives. Now this is 
a false and dangerous doctrine, and has led more than 
one poor soul into misery. It checks the development 
of the nobler attributes of the soul, and hence detracts 
from its happiness here ; — for man, being a progressive 
being, is happy or unhappy here, just as he has de- 
veloped and unfolded the qualities of the soul. 

I will briefly sum up the objects in our communica- 
tion with you, and then pass to my subject ; — First, 
to teach men the fact of the soul's immortality ; — 
Secondly, to show them the soul's future condition, and 
what is necessary to be done to secure happiness there- 
for in the Spirit Land ;— Thirdly, to remove all error, 
and plant truth in its stead. If no benefit will accrue 
from all this, then perhaps our visits are useless, and 
need not be made. But we are inclined^to believe that 
there is benefit to be derived from our visits in this 
respect ; hence we shall continue to make them, until 
the World is changed in its moral and mental character, 
— until religion is based upon true principles, and 
society harmonized. 



118 THE PHILOSOPHY OP CREATION. 

The various circles into which the Spirit Land is 
divided are not connected, but are situated, one above 
the other, like entirely detached and separate worlds, — 
the first circle being nearer the Earth than the second, 
the second nearer than the third, &c., to the seventh 
circle or third sphere, which has no connection with 
the Earth. Eor the better satisfaction of the mind, I 
may here introduce a diagram of the Spheres and 
Circles. [See opposite page,~\ 

The first circle appears and is extremely inharmoni- 
ous. The second more harmonious than the first. The 
third more harmonious than the second, &c, until you 
arrive at the seventh circle, or third sphere, which is 
perfectly harmonious. In relation to the location of 
these circles, allow me to say, that all the circles, save 
the seventh, are within the circle of the solar system ; 
but the seventh circle, or third sphere, is removed be- 
yond the circle of all systems, — in a word, it stands 
outside of all worlds ', or all solar systems ; hence the 
human mind is incapable of conceiving its locality. 
Each circle is situated some hundred and fifty miles 
from the other, making the sixth circle some 1050 
miles from the Earth. 

It may be asked by some, why Spirits of all Worlds 
do not repair to the same locality I I answer, because 
of the difference of their states of development. The 
inhabitants of some worlds are so much in advance of 
the inhabitants of others, that even the lowest developed 
Spirits would not be consigned to the highest circles; — 
while the Spirits of others are not sufficiently advanced 
to attain even the lowest circles of others. The Spirits 
of some planets, immediately upon physical dissolution, 
pass to the Third Sphere, — their own planet having 



1 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATION 



119 








■ 

/ Seventh Circle or Third Sphere. 



/ / 



V 



.• 



become, by the development of Spirit, the Second 
Sphere. 

In speaking of the Spirit Land heretofore, it must be 
remembered, that I have spoken only of the Earth's 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



120 THE PHILOSOPHY OF C 



022 194 184 6 

JAEiJ\±l\J±\» 



Spirit Land ; hence, when I say that the highest possi- 
ble circle that the new-born spirit can attain is the 
Fifth, I must be understood, — under present conditions ; 
for that point will arrive when mankind will become §o 
far developed, as to pass higher. But that point has 
not yet, nor will, for many centuries, arrive. 

There are many planets whereon human life had an 
existence, long before the Earth was evolved or de- 
veloped ; hence those planets are the theatres of a state 
of moral and mental development, that the Earth is a 
stranger to. Of the condition of human life in many of 
these planets, I shall speak more extensively anon. 

When the inhabitants of Earth come to live more in 
accordance with Nature, and upon the principles of 
Love and Harmony, then, and not till then, will the 
powers of the soul become prominently developed, and 
the face of the universe transformed into a paradise. 

It may be asked by some how Spirits regard the 
vicious deeds of their friends, whom, and whose deeds 
they can at any time have cognizance of? I answer, 
they regard them as frailties, and are comforted by the 
reflection, that that point in their lives will arrive when 
they will change their course of life, and progress. 



THE END. 




Books bent by Mail to any Pobi Office in The United States, 



A LIST OF BOOKS 
Published and for Sale by Bela Marsh, No. 25 Cornhill, Biston 



OO—Ki 

75—20 



Pfce. Po.-t. 

The Book of Notions, com- 
plied by John Hay ward, auihor of sev- 
eral Gazeteers and other Works. (Re- 
positories of choice thoughts are rich 
contributions to the republic of letters ) 
-Felt. . 50-12 

The Science of Man Applied 

to Epidemics ; their Cause, Cure and 
Prevention. By Lewis S. Hough.— 
(Man's Life is his Universe) 50—12 

A Wreath for St. Crispin : be- 
ing Sketches of Eminent Shoemakers. 
By J. Prince' " How beautiful are thy 
feet with shoes, O princes' daughter! " 
—Song of Solomon, 7; 1 ....... ' 50 — 9 

Eight Historical and Critical 

Lectures on the Bible By John Prince. 1 0C— 20 

Human Life ; Illustrated in 

my Individual Experience as a Child, a 
Youth, and a Man. By Henry Clarke 
Wright 1 

Unconstitutionality of Slavery. 

By Lysander Spooner . . 

A Defence for Fugitive Slaves. 

By Lysander Spooner ... 25 — A 

Poverty : its Illegal Causes 

and Leaal Cure. By Lysander Spoo.,er. 25 — 4 

An Essay on the Trial by Jury. 

By Lysander Spooner 1 00 — 2 » 

American Politician. Embel- 
lished with the Portraits of the Presi- 
dents. By M. Sears I 00— S.C 

Christ and the Pharisees, upon 

the Sabbath 20— 4 

Narrative of the Life of Fred- 
erick Douglass 25— 4 

Narrative of Henry Watson, a 

Fugitive Slave "." 13—2 

The Branded Hand: or Trial 

and Imprisonment of Jonathan Walker, 
at Pensacola, Florida, for aiding Slaves 
to escape from Bondage 25— 1 

Walker's Picture of Slavery, 

for jouth S — 1 



Price. Tost 



Walker's Brief View of Airier- 

( ican Chdtielized Humanity 



8- 1 



A History of the Mexican 

War, or Facts for the People. By L. 

Moody 20— 4 

The Church as it is : or, the 

Forlorn Hope of Slavery. By P. Pills- 
bury 15— 2 

Pious Frauds : or the Admis- 



sions of the Church against the Ir.epira- 
tion of the Bible. By P. Pillsbury 



10- 2 



Eugene Becklard's Physiolog- 
ical Mysteries and Revelations 25 — 

The Bustle, a Philosophical 

and Moral Poem. By the most Extraor- 
dinary Man of the Age . . . . .... 25 — 3 

Facts and Important Informa- 
tion for Young Men, on the subjtct of 
Masturbation. i 12 — 

Facts and Important Inforjmq* 

tion for Young Women, on the sane 
subject . 12 — - 

The Fountain Minstrel; or 

Tee-Totallers' New Song Book. By F.. 

M. Adlington *. 12— 

The Ocean Plague : or a Voy- 
age to Quebec in an Irish Emigiant Ves- 
sel. Embracing a Quarantine at Grosse 
Isle, in 1847. With Notes, Illustrative of 
the Ship Pestilence of that Fatal Ytar. — 
By a Cabin Passenger 25— \ 

A Sermon on the Mexican 

\ War. By Rev. Theodore Parker . . . 15— 2 

) A Discourse occasioned by tlie 

( Death of John Quincy Adams. By Rev. 

J Theodore Parker .. .- . 20—2 

) Health Tracts for the Diffusion 

/ of Knowledge on the Preseivation of 

1 Health. By Dr. William A. Alcott . . 7C—10 

} The Graham Journal of Health 

and Longevity, for the Ytar 1839. — 
(cloth.) IOC— 20 

Female Midwifery Advocated. 

By Samuel Gregory, A. Mi ..... .' 12— 2 





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00hs 0it jSjiriiitalism, 



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BELA MARSH, No. 25 CORNHILL, 

Has for sale a complete assortment of Books and Periodicals devoted to the 
facts, philosophy, and advocacy of Spiritualism, which he will supply in any 
quantity, on the most favorable terms ; a part of which are included in the 
following list, with the prices annexed, together with the rates of postage. 



-»-»■» > 



Price. 

Revelations, &C, by A. J. Davis, 
the Clairvoyant $2 00 

The Great Harmonia, Vol I.— 
The Physician, by same .... l 25 

The Great Harmonia, Vol. II — 
The Teacher i oo* 

The Great Harmonia.Vol, ILL— 
The Seer l oo 

The Philosophy of Spiritual In- 
tercourse, a. J. D 50 

Sequel to do 100 

The Philosophy of Special Prov- 
idences — A Vision. A. J. D. . . 15 

The Harmonial Man, by Davis 30 

The Appro&ching Crisis : being 
a Review of Dr. Bushnell's recent 
Lectures on Sapernaturalism, by 
Davis 50 

Light from the Spirit "World. 
Rev. Charles Hammond, Medium . 75 

The Pilgrimage of Thos. Paine, 
written through C- Hammond, Me- 
dium. Muslin, 75c, 12c. postage ; 
paper 50 

Elements of Spiritual Philoso- 
phy, B P. Ambler, Medium . . 25 

Reichenbach's Dynamics of 
Mesmerism ! " n 

Pneumatology. by Stilling. Edited 
by Rev. George Bosh 

Celestial Telegraph, by L. A. 
Cahagnai 1 00 

Voices from the Spirit World. 
Isaac Post, Medium 

Night Side of Nature- Ghosts* 1 
and Ghost Seers. By Catharine 
Croi • 1 -•"> 

Gregory's Lectures on Animal 
Magnetism, 10° 

The Clairvoyant Family Phy- 
sician. By Mis. Tattle 

Sorcery and Magic, by Wright. 100 



Postage. 

43c. 
20 
19 
19 

9 

22 

3 
5 



4 

16 

19 

10 

17 
10 



The Philosophy of Creation . 

folding the laws of I wive 

Philosophy of the Spirit "World, 

Hammond, . . 

The Spirit Minstrel; a collection 

of Hymns and Music, for the use of 
Spiritualists, in their Circles and 
Public Meetings. By J. B. Pack- 
ard and J. S. Lowland . 

The Religion of Manhood, 
Dr. Robins 

Spirit Manifestations 
Exposition of Facts, Prin 
by Rev. Adin Ballou 

Spiritual Instructor: 

Facts and the 
ual Intercourse 

The Spiritual Teat 

of ; ircie. II. 1 

Metiitfiri 
The Macrocosm and MicrocoBin, 

or the Universe W 

Universe Within, b; 

bough'. Paper bouid, 50c.; mi 
The Philosophy of Mysterious 

Agents, Human and Mun- 
dane, or the Dyii 

Rcl ,'■ 
Mesmerism in In. 
Messages from the Superior 

State, communicated 

Murray, throi - 
Spirit Voices Llu ^^B 

Spirits for tt. ".otHT 

Circles. E. C. Ilenek, Medl 
Plain bound, 3Sc.-. extra I 
Familiar Spirits and Spiritual* 
Manifestations, by P. 
Professor in the 
- Seminary, together with 
Albert Bingham ... 






62 11 



25 






to 






The Mikkinaii, a monthly Magazino, edited by S. B. Bril 
per annum. 

The Spiritual Telegraph, a weekly Paper J 

Price $2.00 per annum. 

New Era, published by S. Crosby Hewitt. Price $1.50 per anuuj 



